Bhandup BEST Bus accident : Driver Claims Faulty Handbrake That Led To The Death Of Four

Mumbai : Santosh Ramesh Sawant , the driver of the BEST bus involve in the mishap in Bhandup that claimed four lives on Monday night , has told the police that the vehicle’s handbrake was faulty.

Police said Sawant was driving the bus near Bhandup railway station and was making a U-turn when he rammed into pedestrains waiting along the roadside , killing four people and injuring several others. The incident occurred on the narrow station road during peak hours , worsening the impact of the crash.

Sawant has stated to the police that there was an issue with the bus’s handbrake , causing him to lose control of the vehicle. According to the sources , it was his first ride at the start of his shift. He said the handbrake was already engaged , and when he tried to start the bus by stepping on it , the vehicle moved unexpectedly . In an attempt to stop it, he pressed the brake , which unfortunately led to the crash.

Police stated that it will be ascertained at the RTO whether a mechanical defect contributed to the mishap or not. “Sawant did not flee the scene after the crash; instead, he stayed to assist the victims, police said. He was arrested on the spot and, on Tuesday morning, was produced in court, which remanded him in police custody until January 3,” said Balasaheb Pawar, senior police inspector, Bhandup police.

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The bus conductor, identified as Bhagwan Bhau Ghare, 47, was also on duty at the time of the accident. Police said his role and statement are being examined as part of the investigation. A senior police officer said there was no prima facie indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the mishap.