In a tragic incident late Saturday night, a 27-year-old woman was killed when a BEST bus crashed into several vehicles and pedestrians in Lalbaug. The accident occurred after an allegedly drunk passenger forcibly grabbed the steering wheel, causing the bus to veer uncontrollably.
The victim, identified as Nupur Subhash Maniyar, suffered severe injuries to her chest and abdomen and was pronounced dead shortly after the collision. The bus, registered under MH-01-CV-8815 and operating on route number 66, was heading toward Rani Laxmibai Chowk in Sion when it collided with two cars, a scooter, and two pedestrians.
The chaotic scene unfolded around 8:30 p.m. near Ganesh Talkies at Lalbaug signal, which was crowded due to the upcoming Ganesh festival. According to authorities, the driver, Kamlesh Prajapati, 40, lost control of the bus after a confrontation with Datta Murlidhar Shinde, 40, who was allegedly intoxicated and had forcibly turned the steering wheel to the left.
The collision resulted in injuries to eight individuals, including two with fractures. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The police, who were patrolling the area at the time, swiftly apprehended Shinde and took the driver and conductor to Kalachowki police station.
Senior Inspector Sanjay Mohite of the Kalachowki police station confirmed that Shinde has been taken into custody, and further legal actions are underway. The police are currently recording statements from witnesses and the injured driver.
A spokesperson for BEST noted that the accident occurred amid heavy festival traffic, which limited the bus’s maneuverability. The spokesperson added that the altercation between the passenger and the driver directly led to the loss of control.
Sources By Agencies
