BEST bus accident: Previous driver left bus in drive mode instead of neutral: arrested driver to police
According to police, when the drivers’ shift changed and Sawant took over, he pulled the hand brake to start the bus and pressed the accelerator assuming the vehicle was in neutral mode when the bus surged forward.
The driver of the BEST bus that ran over pedestrians in Bhandupon Monday night, killing four people and injuring eight others, told the Mumbai police that the accident took place due to a mistake on the part of the previous driver who left the electric bus in drive mode instead of neutral. The driver, Santosh Sawant, 50, was produced before the court on Tuesday and was remanded in police custody till January 3.
According to police, when the drivers’ shift changed and Sawant took over, he pulled the hand brake to start the bus and pressed the accelerator assuming the vehicle was in neutral mode when the bus surged forward.
Sawant quickly tried to turn the bus right towards the police chowky, said senior inspector of Bhandup police station Balasaheb Pawar, adding, “Had the vehicle gone straight, it would’ve impacted 50-100 people on the road and the casualty would have been much higher.”
Sawant had been a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) driver for several years, while he had been driving an electric bus for the past three months. Police sought his remand stating that they wanted to recreate the incident to understand how the vehicle went out of control.
The bus will be sent to RTO to check if there was any mechanical failure on the part of the bus, police said, adding the person who drove the bus prior to Sawant would be questioned to verify the claim of the arrested driver.
“However, as per law, the person who is at the wheel when the incident took place is responsible for the incident,” an officer added.
In an official statement, BEST said an internal committee has been formed to conduct an urgent probe into the circumstances leading to the accident.
Story continues below this ad
“The General Manager, BEST Undertaking, has directed that an immediate inquiry be conducted through an internal committee and a detailed report be submitted at the earliest,” the undertaking said.
The undertaking also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased, while injured passengers will be provided compensation as per applicable norms.
Three women and one man were declared dead at the hospitals, while eight others, including seven men, are undergoing treatment. Videos that went viral later showed people pushing the bus to one side to rescue those who were trapped beneath.
The Bhandup police arrested Sawant on Monday night after registering an FIR. Prima facie, he did not appear to be driving under the influence of any intoxicant, an officer said.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More
