Home / Disasters and Accidents / Quick-Thinking Conductor Halts Bus Fire After Crash
Quick-Thinking Conductor Halts Bus Fire After Crash
20 Sep
Summary
- A BEST bus and a tourist bus collided in Mulund West.
- The BEST bus driver sustained injuries and a fire broke out.
- A conductor and passengers extinguished the fire before fire brigade arrived.
Early on Sunday, passengers aboard a wet-lease BEST bus and a tourist bus had a fortunate escape following a collision in Mulund West. The incident occurred on LBS Marg, where traffic was reduced to a single lane due to ongoing Metro construction.
The BEST bus, route 496, was traveling from Seepz, Andheri, towards Thane when an oncoming private tourist bus impacted it. The force of the collision caused the steering wheel to strike the BEST bus driver, Sandeep Namdev Karande, 40, resulting in abdominal injuries and significant bleeding. Simultaneously, a fire ignited in the bus's bonnet.
Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, the bus conductor utilized the onboard fire extinguisher to combat the flames. Passengers also alerted the fire brigade. By the time authorities reached the scene, the conductor had successfully contained the fire. The conductor then transported the injured driver to Agarwal Hospital, where he was reported to be conscious and in stable condition.
Local officials and BEST authorities responded to the scene to manage the aftermath. A lorry and wrecker were deployed to clear the damaged buses from the narrow lane, restoring normal traffic flow.
