65-year-old crushed to death while boarding bus in Kolkata's Ultadanga

KOLKATA: A senior citizen lost his life and another was seriously injured in two separate accidents when they tried to board running buses in the city. Around 8.10pm on Thursday, Bimal Chandra Basak (65), originally a resident of Madhyagram, who lived in Salt Lake, tried to board a bus that was plying on route L238. The accident happened when the bus was taking a turn near Durgapur Bridge close to HUDCO crossing at Ultadanga. Cops said the senior citizen had taken some time to decide whether to board the bus.
The bus driver has been arrested. A case of death due to rash and negligent driving has been registered against him at Maniktala police station “When the victim was boarding the bus, it had accelerated. As a result, he lost his balance, fell on the road and was mowed down by the rear tyres of the same bus. Basak was rushed to the RG Kar Hospital where he was declared dead sometime later,” said an officer.
In the second accident, Vivek Sharma (39) was severely injured after he fell off a government bus (S12) while trying to board it near Howrah Bridge on Thursday evening. “Sharma tried to get on the bus and stumbled. He was rushed to SSKM where he was stated to be out of danger,” said a police officer.
A recent analysis has found that 19 bus accidents, which have taken place this year — both fatal and non-fatal — are due to passengers getting off moving buses, coming in front of buses and slipping off the footboard. “We will begin a special drive in this regard soon. The aim is to inculcate the best practices,” said a senior officer.
Cops said they will speak to transport experts and bus manufacturers in this regard. “The AC buses are the best option as they have closed doors. But it is the private sector that we want to regulate,” said an officer.