Pune: A PMPML driver and conductor came to a 17-year-old girl’s rescue in the early hours of Oct 29, rushing her to Sassoon hospital after she collapsed onboard a crowded bus.The bus, operating on the Hadapsar-Pune Railway Station route, had reached Mundhwa Chowk around 1am when the teenager, travelling with her parents and younger brother, suddenly fainted. Alerted by the girl’s brother, conductor Gorakhnath Chavan informed driver Rajendra Nikam, who immediately diverted the bus to Sassoon Hospital.“We realised the situation was critical. The girl was unconscious, and her family was panicking. We decided not to waste any time and drove straight to the hospital,” Nikam said.The bus was taken directly to the emergency ward entrance, where Chavan brought a wheelchair and helped shift the teenager inside. Hospital staff promptly attended to her and administered oxygen. After receiving assurance from doctors that her condition had stabilised, the PMPML staff resumed their journey.Nikam later contacted the family and learnt that the girl had recovered and returned home.PMPML chairperson and managing director Mahesh Awhad lauded the duo’s swift action, saying the incident reflected the commitment of PMPML staff to passenger safety and welfare beyond their transport duties. He said the humanitarian gesture should serve as an inspiration for other employees.
