Mumbai: A tragic accident involving a BEST bus occurred on SG Barve Road in Kurla West on Monday evening, December 9. The incident left six people dead and 43 others injured, as reported by the BMC Disaster Control on Tuesday. The horrific accident took place in the bustling Kurla West market around 9:30 pm, when a BEST air-conditioned electric bus, operating Route No. A-332, plowed through at least 25 vehicles and hit multiple pedestrians.
Details On The Accident
The bus, reportedly driven by an allegedly drunk Sanjay More, veered into the crowded market at a dangerously high speed, colliding with both moving and stationary vehicles, including a police jeep. Eyewitnesses claimed the driver appeared to be laughing and enjoying the chaos as the vehicle hurtled nearly 500 metres before coming to a stop, as reported by IANS.
The accident occurred near the L Ward office on SG Barve Road, close to the Anjuman-e-Islam School. Police and BMC officials confirmed the bus, leased by the Kurla Bus Depot, was en route to Sakinaka when the disaster struck. CCTV footage of the scene revealed horrifying images of people screaming and running frantically to avoid the speeding bus.
Details On The Deceased
Emergency responders, including Kurla police and local authorities, quickly reached the scene. The injured were rushed to Bhabha Hospital and nearby private clinics for treatment. Among the deceased were Kaniz Fatema Ansari (55), Afreen A. Shaikh (19), Anam Shaikh (18), and Shivam Kashyap (18). Many of the injured remain in critical condition.
The accident also caused extensive damage to various vehicles, including autorickshaws, scooters, motorcycles and cars, as well as the police jeep.
BEST Bus Driver Booked
While initial reports suggest that the accident may have been caused by a brake failure, the driver’s alleged intoxication has raised serious concerns. Police have booked Sanjay More on multiple charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
