Two state buses collide near Mumbai,15 passengers injured

Around 11.15am, a Thane-Bhiwandi bus heading towards Bhiwandi via the SATIS bridge, crashed into a Thane-Shahpur bus, which was stationed by the roadside, from behind.

Around 15 passengers were injured on Thursday after a state transport bus crashed into another stationary state transport bus on SATIS bridge.

One of the state buses involved in the accident. (Praful Gangurde/ HT)

Around 11.15am, a Thane-Bhiwandi bus heading towards Bhiwandi via the SATIS bridge, crashed into a Thane-Shahpur bus, which was stationed by the roadside, from behind. Although the bus which was stationed for some technical failure was empty, around 25 passengers were present in the Thane-Bhiwandi bus. According to passengers, the driver lost control and collided with the other bus.

Passengers suffered several injuries to their faces, hands and heads and were treated at Thane Civil Hospital. Varun Malshe, a 23-year-old resident of Bhiwandi, who travels daily to Thane, flew through the front window of the bus because of the jerk. “I was sitting on the seat on the left of the driver. As the buses collided, I dashed ahead into the front glass and fell out of the bus. I have received injuries to my back, head, and elbow, “said Varun.

The passengers also complained that after the accident, no one come forward to take them to hospital. Passengers had to stop autorickshaws by themselves to reach the hospital. A few of the injured had to be shifted to other hospitals as CT-scan facility was unavailable at the hospital.

“We stopped autos and requested them to take us to Civil Hospital. One of my college friends has also injured her nose. Her parents shifted her to another hospital for more tests,” said Nimisha Wagal, 18, a science student of Joshi-Bedekar College, Thane, who received stitches on her forehead.

Parth Mehta, 15, from Bhiwandi, who was going to enquire about college admissions in Thane, said the bus was not very packed. “There were hardly 23 to 25 passengers. As soon as the buses collided, I was thrown towards the front seat, cutting my lips in the process.”

Around 15 patients have received minor injuries, mostly on their faces and heads, said Dr Sangeetaw Makode, additional civic surgeon, Thane Civil Hospital.

“There was no technical issue in the bus which collided. However, the exact reason behind the accident will be disclosed once the investigation is complete. Accordingly, action will be taken against the driver,” said Avinash Kulkarni, mechanical engineer, operations, state transport department, Thane region.

A case has been registered at the Thane Nagar police station. “The case has been registered as a vehicle accidental case and the driver has been taken into police custody. We are questioning the driver and the passengers further to investigate the case,” said an officer, from Thane Nagar Police station.