Kurla Tragedy: Driver Claims Spark Caused Loss of Control in Fatal Bus Crash

Kurla, Mumbai : In a shocking claim, Sanjay More, the driver accused in the Kurla BEST bus tragedy, stated that he saw a spark before losing control of the electric bus that mowed down pedestrians on SG Barve Marg on the night of December 9. According to More's lawyer, Advocate Samadhan Sulane, the driver was frightened by the spark, causing him to lose control of the automatic bus. Moreover, More claimed to have received only five minutes of training on operating such a vehicle.

However, investigations by the BEST and RTO found no mechanical issues with the bus. DCP Ganesh Gawade confirmed that reports from both organizations refuted the claims, revealing that the bus was in good condition. Physiological tests on the driver, including blood tests for intoxication, came back negative, ruling out any impairment. The police have since arrested More, 54, for his negligence.

The horrific accident resulted in nine deaths, with 49 others injured. On December 19, one of the victims, 22-year-old Mehtab Shaikh, was declared dead. Despite the tragic loss of lives, the investigation has not implicated BEST officials or the subcontractors involved in the vehicle’s operation.

The Kurla bus crash continues to raise questions about training standards and accountability for such accidents, with families of the victims demanding justice.