Mumbai: Passengers of a wet-lease BEST bus and a tourist bus had a narrow escape after the two crashed into each other in Mulund West early on Sunday. The BEST bus’s driver was injured and a minor fire broke out in its bonnet, which was swiftly extinguished by the conductor and passengers.The cause of the collision is under investigation, said a BEST spokesperson. The public bus had four passengers. It is unclear how many passengers were in the other vehicle. Mulund police have made a station diary entry on the accident.According to official reports, the BEST bus, operating on route 496 and attached to the Majas depot, had set off from Seepz, Andheri, for Teen Hath Naka in Thane. Due to ongoing Metro construction work on LBS Marg in Mulund, traffic was restricted to a single lane.Officials said an oncoming private tourist bus crashed into the BEST bus, causing the steering wheel to ram the abdomen of the driver, Sandeep Namdev Karande (40). He also sustained heavy bleeding and injuries to his right leg.The collision triggered a sudden fire in the bus’s bonnet. Displaying quick thinking, the bus conductor used the onboard fire extinguisher. Passengers swiftly alerted the fire brigade. By the time emergency services arrived, the conductor had already brought the fire under control.The conductor then rushed Karande to Agarwal Hospital in Mulund. Authorities said Karande was conscious and in stable condition.Local authorities, including traffic officers from BEST, accident inspectors and depot supervisors, rushed to the spot to oversee relief operations. The Wadala traffic control room coordinated the dispatch of a lorry and a wrecker to clear the damaged bus from the narrow lane, restoring normal vehicular movement.
