Bengaluru: Several passengers were injured and a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus driver sustained critical injuries after an electric bus rammed into the rear of a stationary Vayu Vajra bus near K R Circle during Saturday morning’s rush hour. Police have launched an investigation, while a technical inspection is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Collision during morning rush hour
According to police, the accident occurred at around 8.30 am when a Vayu Vajra bus operating between Kempegowda Bus Station and Attibele had just begun moving after stopping at the K R Circle traffic signal.
A BMTC electric bus travelling behind it crashed into the rear of the airport service bus, causing extensive damage to the front portion of the electric bus.
Driver critically injured
The impact left the BMTC bus driver trapped inside the mangled driver’s cabin.
Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, along with police, conducted a rescue operation to extricate him from the wreckage.
The driver, who suffered grievous injuries, was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Passengers rescued
According to BMTC, at least five passengers travelling in the electric bus sustained minor injuries and were admitted to St Martha’s Hospital.
Police said one woman passenger was trapped inside the damaged bus after her legs became wedged in the wreckage.
Rescue personnel took nearly an hour to free her before she was also shifted to the hospital for treatment.
Mechanical failure suspected
Police said the exact cause of the accident has not yet been established.
A technical team has been inspecting the damaged electric bus to determine whether the collision resulted from a mechanical failure or another reason.
Officials said a case will be registered after the inspection report is received.
Traffic disrupted
The accident caused heavy traffic congestion around K R Circle, with police diverting vehicles while cranes removed the damaged buses from the road.
Normal traffic movement resumed after both buses were cleared from the accident site.
Senior officials visit hospital
BMTC said Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, Transport Secretary Deepa Cholan, and BMTC Managing Director Raghunandan Murthy visited St Martha’s Hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers and the critically injured driver.
Further investigation into the accident is continuing.
Pedestrian killed in separate accident
In another incident, a 50-year-old pedestrian was killed after being allegedly hit by a speeding lorry while crossing National Highway 44 near Rani Cross in Devanahalli on Friday night.
The deceased was identified as Surya Narayana Reddy, a resident of Kadiri in Andhra Pradesh.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 10.30 pm when the victim was crossing the highway near NVK Bar. The lorry, travelling from Chikkaballapur towards Bengaluru, allegedly struck him before the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.
Police identified the victim through his mobile phone and informed his family. A case has been registered, and efforts are underway to trace the absconding driver.
Traffic policeman saves woman after medical emergency
In a separate incident on Friday night, a traffic police head constable helped save the life of a software professional who suffered a medical emergency while driving near Silk Board Junction.
The woman, identified as Kalindi Srivastav, reportedly experienced severe breathing difficulty while returning home to Marathahalli.
Head Constable Y T Dattatreya, who was on traffic duty as part of security arrangements for the Governor’s convoy, noticed the woman signalling for help from inside her vehicle.
He immediately secured the car by applying the handbrake and drove her to a nearby private hospital, where she received timely medical attention.