How Did a BMTC Driver Save 75 Passengers from a Bus Fire?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Quick thinking can save lives in emergencies.
- Training for drivers is essential for passenger safety.
- Emergency services responded promptly but could not save the bus.
- Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
- Past incidents highlight the risks associated with bus travel.
Bengaluru, Sep 15 (NationPress) A driver’s swift actions prevented a disaster, ensuring the safety of all 75 passengers aboard a BMTC bus that was consumed by fire shortly after the flames were spotted. The incident occurred on Monday morning when the bus, operated by the government-run Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), caught fire.
As smoke and flames erupted from the moving bus, it quickly became engulfed in fire, leading to its total destruction.
The bus, with registration number KA 57 F 4568, was on a route from Majestic to the Kadugodi area in Bengaluru when the incident transpired near the HAL Entrance early in the day.
Upon seeing smoke and flames emerging from the engine, the driver promptly warned the passengers and conductor, facilitating an evacuation. Despite the bus being fully occupied, the driver and conductor ensured that every passenger exited safely. Emergency services arrived shortly to extinguish the flames, but the vehicle was already completely destroyed.
This event unfolded within the jurisdiction of the HAL Police Station, and BMTC has initiated an investigation to determine the fire's cause.
Tragically, a similar incident occurred recently when a man lost his life in an abandoned school bus fire in OMBR Layout, Banaswadi, on August 14. Furthermore, in a 2013 incident, a private luxury bus caught fire after colliding with a bridge railing in Karnataka, resulting in seven fatalities, including a couple and their three children, with over 25 others suffering severe burns.
In that case, the police charged the surviving driver and bus operator with reckless driving, and the driver later fled but was subsequently apprehended.
Additionally, on December 2, 2014, a private bus in Bengaluru ignited, injuring at least three individuals after striking a motorcycle.