Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 20: A BEST bus operating on Route 496 collided head-on with a private travel bus in Mulund West early Saturday morning, leaving the BEST driver injured and triggering a minor fire in the vehicle’s bonnet.
The incident took place around 5.50 am when the BEST bus, operated by a wet-lease operator and attached to the Majas depot, was travelling from SEEPZ towards Teen Hath Naka in Thane.
Traffic movement on LBS Marg in Mulund had been restricted to a single lane due to ongoing Metro construction work. An oncoming private travel bus collided head-on with the BEST vehicle at the spot.
The impact caused the steering wheel to hit the abdomen of BEST bus driver Sandeep Namdev Karande, 40. He also sustained injuries to his right leg and suffered heavy bleeding.
The collision also sparked a fire in the bonnet of the BEST bus. The conductor immediately used the onboard fire extinguisher to douse the flames.
Passengers alerted the fire brigade, but the conductor had brought the fire under control by the time emergency personnel arrived.
Following the incident, the conductor rushed Karande to Agarwal Hospital in Mulund for treatment.
Authorities said the injured driver was conscious and in stable condition.