BEST Bus Driver’s Neutral Mode Mistake Causes Major Tragedy in Mumbai

A tragic incident unfolded late Monday night outside Bhandup railway station in Mumbai when a BEST electric bus crashed into pedestrians, killing four and injuring several others, according to police and transport officials. The accident took place around 10 pm on one of the busiest stretches near the station, where commuters were standing in long queues due to heavy congestion caused by autos, hawkers, and narrow roads. The driver, 52-year-old Santosh Ramesh Sawant, had just taken control of the stationary bus operating on route 606 when the tragedy occurred, police added.

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During questioning, Sawant told investigators that he thought the bus was in neutral mode. However, when he started the engine and pressed the accelerator, the vehicle surged forward because it was actually in drive mode. Instead of braking, the bus gained speed. Spotting a large crowd ahead, Sawant tried to steer the bus to the right to avoid a worse situation, but it ended up mounting the footpath and hitting about 15 people. CCTV footage from nearby shops later surfaced, showing people running for cover as the bus moved uncontrollably, amplifying the shock and panic at the scene.

BEST Bus Driver Arrested After Tragedy at Bhandup Station

Shopkeepers and locals quickly rushed to assist the victims before emergency services arrived. The injured were taken to Rajawadi and Lokmanya Tilak hospitals, where doctors declared four people, including three women and one man, dead. Police arrested the driver on the spot and charged him with culpable homicide, endangering life, and dangerous driving. They also launched an investigation to determine whether human error or a technical fault caused the crash. BEST announced 2 lakh in financial assistance for each deceased victim’s family and ordered an internal inquiry into the accident. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced additional compensation.

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