Mumbai: A shocking incident in Mumbai’s Lalbaugh area left nine pedestrians injured after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus lost control when a drunk passenger grabbed the steering wheel during an argument with the driver. The bus, which was on Route 66 from Ballard Pier to Rani Laxmibai Chowk in Sion, veered off course, hitting several pedestrians, cars, and two-wheelers before the driver managed to regain control.
The incident occurred on an electric bus operated by BEST, the transport wing of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As the bus approached Ganesh Talkies near Lalbaugh, the intoxicated passenger, in the midst of a heated argument with the driver, suddenly seized the steering wheel, destabilizing the vehicle and causing it to swerve uncontrollably.
In addition to the nine injured pedestrians, the bus also collided with two motorcycles and a car, causing significant damage. The injured individuals were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Recent Bus Accidents in Mumbai
This incident follows a series of recent bus accidents in Mumbai, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety in the city. On July 17, a private bus carrying 54 passengers crashed into a tractor and fell into a ditch near the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, resulting in five deaths and 46 injuries. In response, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
In another accident last week on the Old Pune-Mumbai highway in Bopodi, a 38-year-old woman was killed, and eight others were injured when a bus collided with an SUV and a two-wheeler. The crash occurred when the bus driver attempted to avoid a motorcyclist, causing the bus to enter another lane and collide head-on with a car and another motorcycle before finally coming to a stop after hitting a metro pillar.
