School bus cleaner dead, 2 kids hurt in accident on Western Express Highway

School officials said Amogh Warang, a Class 8 student; and Deep Nor, a Class 6 student, were injured in the accident.

A cleaner died and two children sustained injuries after a speeding school bus carrying 34 students brushed against barricades put up for Metro construction work on the north-bound stretch of the Western Express Highway in Goregaon (East).

A cleaner died and two children sustained injuries after a speeding school bus carrying 34 students brushed against barricades put up for Metro construction work on the north-bound stretch of the Western Express Highway in Goregaon (East). (Representative Image) (HT Photo)

Bus driver Ramjit Gaud, 54, was arrested and booked for rash and negligent driving. The Vanrai police said the incident occurred at 6.30am on Tuesday when the bus was on its way to St Xavier’s High School in Goregaon (East).

“The driver knew about the barricades as it was his daily route. He lost control of the speeding vehicle and grazed it against the barricades,” said an officer.

Senior police inspector Jyotsna Rasam from Vanrai police station said Gaud will be produced in the court on Wednesday.

“Cleaner Umesh Gurav, 35, who was standing at the door, fell off the bus and his hand got stuck in one of the barricades. Although police officers rushed him to the nearby trauma care hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. Gurav succumbed to grievous head injuries he sustained in the accident. He was working as a cleaner for the past 15 years,” said an officer.

School officials said Amogh Warang, a Class 8 student; and Deep Nor, a Class 6 student, were injured in the accident.

“Warang was discharged after receiving first-aid at Holy Spirit Hospital. Amogh fractured his hip and needs a surgery. The bus driver was provided by the agency to which the transport service has been outsourced. Stringent action will be taken to ensure such incidents aren’t repeated,” said a spokesperson from St Xavier’s High School.