Two men were killed and at least six others injured after a motorcycle and truck rammed a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus that had broken down in Rani Bagh early on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Sunil, who was assisting his colleagues in the repairs, and Pramod, who was driving the bus.
Among those injured are the bike rider, the truck driver, and the mechanics and DTC staff repairing the bus.
Near Pitampura underpass
The bus, which was plying on route 942, was headed towards Peergarhi when it broke down. Pramod, the driver, and conductor Sumit were the only occupants at the time. At this point, the bus was positioned towards the right side of the road, next to the divider. “The bus broke down near the Pitampura underpass. Since the traffic coming towards us had to be kept on the left of the bus, we [Pramod and Sumit] decided to guide the drivers. But the moment we stood next to the bus, a bike came and hit me. The bike rider, Bhubaneshwar Jha, and I were injured,” said Sumit.
Both of them were taken to a hospital after the police were informed.
A group of mechanics reached the spot after Pramod called the manufacturing company of the bus. He also called his colleague Sunil from the nearby Rohini depot, asking him to get some food along.
“Sunil and Pramod were standing next to the rear of the bus to keep traffic away as some mechanics went under the vehicle for repairs. The tail lights had been switched on,” said Sunil’s brother Yatish, who was briefed about the incident by eyewitnesses.
Severe head injuries
Minutes later, a truck driven by one Karan Singh crashed into the bus. Sunil and Pramod were sandwiched between the two vehicles while the mechanics and those standing nearby were injured.
Truck driver arrested
The families of the two deceased claimed they had suffered serious head injuries.
Among the injured are Sukhpreet, Mohammad Abrar, Anandandi, who are mechanics with the manufacturing company, and Mohan Mishra, who was seated in the truck with Karan. They were taken to Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital and later referred to other hospitals.
“We have arrested Karan and registered a case of causing death by negligence and rash and negligent driving. His medical report is awaited to ascertain if he was drunk,” said DCP (North-West) Milind Dumbere.
