The quick thinking of a BEST bus driver saved the lives of several commuters, even as he succumbed to a heart attack on Wednesday.

Rajaram Dalve (49) was driving on route 523 Ltd when he experienced acute chest pain near Kanjurmarg at 10.30 a.m. BEST officials said there were around 20 passengers on board. “He immediately pulled over and the conductor rushed him to Agarwal hospital in Mulund, where he was declared dead on arrival. Had he not had the presence of mind, it may have been a disaster,” a BEST official said.