Woman killed after drunk bus driver knocks down 4

MUMBAI: A 29-year-old Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver allegedly reported drunk for duty on Saturday afternoon, then knocked down four

MUMBAI: A 29-year-old Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver allegedly reported drunk for duty on Saturday afternoon, then knocked down four people with his empty bus, killing one. He then crashed into a hut in Boisar.

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

Kamble was assigned to bus MH 07 C 9189 to be driven from Dahanu to Palghar, via Boisar. Kamble lost control near Saravali, and knocked down four people, one of whom died.

The victim, Sindhu Waykole 59, had been taking her grandchildren home from school. The bus then crashed into a hut, said PI K Hegaje of Boisar MIDC police station.

Locals 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 drink driving, 3 Section 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 recommended that Kamble be dismissed and have sent a report to the Traffic Officer, MSRTC, Palghar division.

“Kamble has given the organisation a bad name and is being punished. This is the first time we will dismiss an employee for reporting drunk for duty, and knocking down people. Normally, we suspend the man, and then order a departmental inquiry,” said Behere.