Mumbai: A Mateshwari-operated BEST bus crashed into a Mankhurd Metro station pillar in the wee hours of Friday, after the driver swerved to avoid four pedestrians who suddenly crossed the road.One passenger was injured in the incident, which occurred at 2.15am when the bus on Route No. 501 was travelling from Airoli bus station towards Pratiksha Nagar depot.As the bus approached Mankhurd station bridge, four pedestrians unexpectedly darted across the road from the left side, said a BEST official. “The bus driver executed an emergency braking maneuver. However, the sudden stop caused the vehicle to veer and collide with the Metro station pillar. The impact left one passenger with injuries to his left wrist and left thigh,” the official said. “At a time when wet lease drivers have earned a bad name due to reckless driving, this driver took efforts to save four pedestrians.”The injured commuter contacted a relative and independently made his way to Sion Hospital for treatment. “The identity of the injured passenger and the pedestrians involved remain unknown at this time,” a BEST spokesperson said on Friday evening.Following the crash, the bus driver arranged for a BEST towing vehicle and, along with the conductor, went to Mankhurd police station to log the incident. Police recorded their statements, noting that a formal case will be registered once the injured passenger provides a statement.The damaged bus was cleared from the thoroughfare and safely towed into the Pratiksha Nagar depot by 5.30am.Mankhurd police are conducting an investigation into the incident.
