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What caused the BEST bus accident that killed 4 in Mumbai? Here’s what the driver says

The Bhandup police arrested the driver, Santosh Sawant, on Monday night after the BEST bus knocked down 12 people. Eight of them are currently under treatment in two hospitals.

Partial footage of the Bhandup accident from a CCTV camera at a shop near the bus stopPartial footage of the Bhandup accident from a CCTV camera at a shop near the bus stop

Santosh Sawant, 50, the driver of the BEST bus that ran over pedestrians in Bhandup on 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 had handled the vehicle.

Sawant said the other driver had placed the hand brake in drive mode instead of neutral mode. After their shift changed, when Sawant pulled the hand brake to start the bus, the vehicle, which was already on drive mode, surged forward and ran over the crowd in front, he claimed. Twelve people were knocked down in the impact and rushed to MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. A lamppost was also damaged.

Following the accident, three women and one man were pronounced dead at the hospitals, while eight others, including seven men, are currently under treatment. Videos that went viral later showed people pushing the bus to one side to rescue those who were trapped under it.

The Bhandup police arrested Sawant on Monday night after registering a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter. He is a permanent bus driver under the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), and not a contractual employee, an officer said. Sawant will be produced before a court on Tuesday where the police will seek his custody.

Prima facie, he did not appear to be driving under the influence of any intoxicant, an officer stated.

A police officer said that they will be calling the previous driver to record his statement in connection with the incident. They have also sent the bus for an inspection to determine if there was some technical fault.

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

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