Even as the Metropolitan Transport Corporation prepares the charge sheet for the bus accident that took place on Gemini Flyover on June 27, the police are yet to ascertain whether the accident was caused due to the driver speaking on the phone. The bus driver, Prasad, was suspended a day after the accident.
Based on investigations, MTC officials have suspended the bus driver indefinitely. “It is mentioned that he drove in a rash and negligent manner. But Prasad maintains that he did not speak on the phone and that the seat was faulty. The police kept his phone in their custody for three days to investigate,” said K. Natarajan, general secretary of MTC Employees Progressive Union.
Mr. Natarajan said that the driver told him that he had contacted the MTC office through wireless immediately after the accident. “The driver and conductor said that the seat was loose,” said Mr. Natarajan.
The union has asked the MTC for various documents related to the accident. “The charge sheet has been prepared, but we are yet to see it. We have asked the officials for the log sheet and witness report, among other documents,” said Mr. Natarajan.
Police are still investigating if the driver was talking on the cellphone at the time of the accident.
“Preliminary investigation into call records from nearby cellphone towers shows he did not make a call or receive one around the time of the accident. But we cannot come to a conclusion yet as investigations are on,” said a police officer.
Meanwhile, on Friday, MTC bus 37 G lost control and rammed two cars on Anna Salai. No one was injured. “The driver said it was due to a brake problem. This is due to a maintenance-related issue,” said Mr. Natarajan.
