Narrow escape for 40 passengers as branch falls on PMPML bus, driver suffers injuries

THE driver of a Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) bus was injured and more than 40 passengers had a narrow escape after a large branch of a tree collapsed on the moving bus on Thursday on Fergusson College Road.  Only the windscreen of the bus was damaged in the incident.

Officials from Pune Fire Brigade said the incident took place around 5.30 pm in front of the main gate of Fergusson College. “40 passengers were seated in the bus travelling from upper Indira Nagar depot to Nigdi. When passing by Fergusson College, an old branch of a gulmohar tree fell on the bus. The driver quickly applied brakes, that save dthe bus from serious damages, and only the windscreen was damaged,” said Fire Officer Kamlesh Chaudhari.

“However, because the driver applied the brakes suddenly, he sustained minor injuries on the legs and some bruises. All passengers then deboarded the bus. The fire brigade team cut and removed the old branch that had fallen on the bus and cleared the road for traffic,” the fire officer added.