Eyewitnesses Recall Mumbai Kurla BEST Bus Accident Tragedy: ‘Bodies Were Lying…’
Dec 10, 2024 01:49 PM IST
In a shocking turn of events in Mumbai’s Kurla West, witnesses reported a harrowing scene as a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus careened out of control, causing a devastating accident that claimed seven lives and left 42 others injured. The chaos unfolded on Monday night as the bus, operating on route 332 from Kurla to Andheri, collided with multiple vehicles, pedestrians, and even a police car before crashing into a residential society.
Eyewitness Accounts: Chaos and Heroism Unfold
Zaid Ahmed, a 26-year-old Kurla resident, vividly recalled the moment that changed everything. As he stepped out of his house to make his way to the railway station, a deafening noise shattered the evening calm, freezing him in his tracks. Rushing to the scene, Ahmed was met with a devastating sight – a BEST bus had plowed into pedestrians, an autorickshaw, and several cars, leaving death and destruction in its wake. “I saw some dead bodies in front of my eyes,” Ahmed recounted, highlighting the horrific aftermath of the bus’s uncontrolled rampage. Despite the chaos, Ahmed and his friends sprang into action, rescuing passengers from the autorickshaw and ferrying them to safety at Bhabha Hospital.
Zeeshan Ansari, another eyewitness, shared a similar tale of tragedy and heroism. Standing outside Royal Sweets shop with his friends, Ansari watched in horror as the bus barreled recklessly down the road, wreaking havoc with each passing moment. After crashing into vehicles and pedestrians, the bus finally came to a stop in Buddha Colony, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Ansari, along with other bystanders, wasted no time in rushing to aid the injured, pulling out the bus driver and moving the wounded to hospitals for urgent medical care. The swift response of these brave individuals undoubtedly saved lives in the midst of chaos and confusion.
Official Statements and Investigation Details
Authorities revealed that the 12-metre-long electric bus involved in the tragic accident was manufactured by Olectra and leased by BEST on a wet lease basis. With the private operator providing drivers for these buses, questions loom over the circumstances leading up to the fateful crash. An official from the Tardeo Regional Transport Office (RTO) disclosed that the bus, a mere three months old, was registered under the name of a company called EVEY Trans on August 20 of the same year, shedding light on the vehicle’s recent history and ownership.
As the death toll climbed to seven and 42 individuals grappled with injuries sustained in the bus accident, the community mourned the loss of life and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. The investigation into the incident continues, seeking answers and accountability in the wake of this tragic event that has left a lasting impact on Mumbai’s Kurla neighborhood.
