Drunk bus driver runs over four people, rams vehicle into hut in Boisar, 1 dead

A 29-year-old Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver, who allegedly reported drunk to duty on Saturday afternoon, ran over four people with his empty bus, one of whom died, and then rammed his bus into a hut in Boisar.

A 29-year-old Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver, who allegedly reported drunk to duty on Saturday afternoon, ran over four people with his empty bus, one of whom died, and then rammed his bus into a hut in Boisar.

After the incident, the locals pulled the driver, Rahul Kamble, out while he was slumped over the wheel. (Yogesh Chandekar/HT)

The Palghar division of MSRTC plans to sack the driver, identified as Rahul Kamble, who is currently in police custody.

Kamble allegedly reported to duty sloshed to the gills and was assigned to drive bus - MH 07 C 9189 - from Dahanu to Palghar,via Boisar. Though the bus was empty, near Saravali, Kamble lost control and ran over four people, one of whom died. The deceased, Sindhu Waykole (59), was taking her grand children home from school. After that, the bus rammed into a hut,said PI K Hegaje of Boisar MIDC police station.

The locals then rushed to the spot and pulled Kamble out while he was slumped over the wheel,said Hegaje. “He was reeking of alcohol, and we arrested him for drunken driving,3Section 04 (a) (causing death by negligence),337 (causing hurt) of IPC,and appropriate sections of the Motor Vehicle Act. He has been remanded to police custody,” said the official.

Manjiri Behere, Manager, Dahanu Depot, MSRTC, said they have recommended the dismissal of Kamble from the services due to the incident and have sent a report to the Traffic Officer, MSRTC,Palghar division. “Kamble has brought a bad name to the organisation and is being punished for the act and this is the first time,we will be dismissing an employee for reporting drunk to duty,and running over people because normally, we suspend the man,and then order a departmental inquiry, but now we will be dismissing him,” said Behere.