Mumbai: An 84-year-old pedestrian lost her life after being struck by a wet lease bus operated by BEST undertaking in Gaiwadi Girgaon on Wednesday evening. The driver has been identified as 47-year-old Sandeep Ganpat Parab.
Police have confirmed that the driver was arrested following the registration of a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, he was later released on bail, and investigations are currently underway.
Octagenarian Vicitm Succumbed to Injuries
According to officials, the accident occurred at around 5.50pm when the bus, en route to Sion station from Ballard Pier, hit an elderly woman, identified as Aruna Sadashiv Jadye. “Aruna Sadashiv Jadye came in contact with front-left side corner of the bus at 5.50pm while crossing the road. She got trapped under the low-floored bus and was pulled out only after the bus was lifted using a taxi driver’s jack,” an official said.
Jadye suffered severe injuries to her chest and ribs and was immediately taken to Bhatia Hospital in Tardeo. Despite receiving medical treatment, she was declared dead at 9.38pm.
It was the sixth fatal accident involving BEST buses this month. On June 3, a 49-year-old pedestrian named Balaram Bagwe got entangled with the rear wheel of a bus that had lost control and collided with a stationary BEST bus at Badhwar Park, Cuffe Parade. On the 10th, another person was hit by a bus near BMC Garden in Mulund.
Sion Flyover Accident
On 16th, a fatal accident – suspected to be a suicide case – occurred on the Sion flyover. On 18th, a woman riding pillion on a two-wheeler near Century Bazar in Worli was thrown off when a BEST bus rammed into the vehicle from behind, resulting in her head being crushed under the bus’s wheel. Lastly, on the 20th, a pedestrian was killed and three women were injured in a bus crash in Borivali.
“The series of incidents involving BEST buses has raised concerns about pedestrian safety and the need for enhanced measures to prevent such accidents. Authorities are likely to review and strengthen safety protocols to ensure the well-being of pedestrians and passengers in the future,” a transport expert said.
