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BMTC bus on fire: driver, conductor save 25 passengers (ToI news article)

When smoke started billowing out of the engine, the 25 passengers onboard the BMTC bus began to panic. But before the bus could go up in flames, two real-life heroes came to their rescue.

[deathwalkr]

Bus and Delivery Van Accident in Kollam, Kerala:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdARSKjLc2A

The Van driver died and the assistant is in hospital along with some of the bus passengers.

The impact is just horrendous and gives a good perspective on the forces behind high speed collisions.

Most of our roads here are scary to drive in with two laned highways and heavy vehicular traffic of all sorts and hardly any bypasses for towns/cities.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Bus and Delivery Van Accident in Kollam, Kerala:
.....
The Van driver died and the assistant is in hospital along with some of the bus passengers.

The impact is just horrendous and gives a good perspective on the forces behind high speed collisions.
...

What an horrible accident!
It feels like the van was in the correct lane and the bus was on the wrong lane.
Was the bus trying to overtake the white Swift? (around 50-55 seconds into the video)
Very scary to see. Two 2-wheeler folks also injured due to no fault of their own.
May the departed soul rest in peace and the survivors recover to good health soon.

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Most of our roads here are scary to drive in with two laned highways and heavy vehicular traffic of all sorts and hardly any bypasses for towns/cities.

Luckily both the two wheel riders were having helmets on and that did save them.

[StarrySky]

Originally Posted by srvm

It feels like the van was in the correct lane and the bus was on the wrong lane.
Was the bus trying to overtake the white Swift? (around 50-55 seconds into the video)

Yes, this can be seen in CCTV video from a different angle, seen in this page.

[adisan]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Bus and Delivery Van Accident in Kollam, Kerala:

Horrific! The delivery van itself was moving forward and not stationary, yet pulled back several metres by the bus after impact.

[DDiSLover]

That bus driver should be booked for murder. This happened in my hometown, and it could have been any of our office vans, or even our own personal vehicles. I'm trembling at the thought.

KL bus drivers drive like they own the $$$$ing road. These people, no, these animals, should be booked for murder.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by StarrySky

Yes, this can be seen in CCTV video from a different angle, seen in this page.

Thanks. It is very clear from the other video that the Bus driver was completely crazy to attempt such an overtake.

Originally Posted by DDiSLover

That bus driver should be booked for murder. ....

I have to agree begrudgingly. It was a moronic overtake maneuver leading to a loss of life & injuries.

[adisan]

Bengaluru journalist dies after truck falls on him (Deccan Herald new report)

A senior copy editor at a well-known daily, was riding a motorcycle on his way to the newspaper’s offices in Chamarajpet when the accident unfolded in a most tragic way during the evening rush hour, according to police.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by srvm

Thanks. It is very clear from the other video that the Bus driver was completely crazy to attempt such an overtake.

It is sadly very common to see bus drivers do risky mad overtaking like this. Relying on the other persons will to live to make way for the bus who sits high and mighty in a vehicle not owned by him.

In my little experience, it progresses the more you go up North in the state. In my hometown of Kozhikode, even in City limits you could witness bus drivers honking to kingdom come to make you give way (even if there is no space) and the conductors will be banging on the bus door to add to the mad cacophony

[tharian]

Originally Posted by DDiSLover

That bus driver should be booked for murder. This happened in my hometown, and it could have been any of our office vans, or even our own personal vehicles. I'm trembling at the thought.

KL bus drivers drive like they own the $$$$ing road. These people, no, these animals, should be booked for murder.

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

It is sadly very common to see bus drivers do risky mad overtaking like this. Relying on the other persons will to live to make way for the bus who sits high and mighty in a vehicle not owned by him.

In my little experience, it progresses the more you go up North in the state. In my hometown of Kozhikode, even in City limits you could witness bus drivers honking to kingdom come to make you give way (even if there is no space) and the conductors will be banging on the bus door to add to the mad cacophony

The sad and frustrating part is that this is not new. This kind of driving by bus drivers has been happening since years with major accidents to go with it. And nothing is been done about it except one transport commisoner who when he did something, was transfered without fail.

It is so evident from the video that the van driver paid a heavy price for sticking to his lane and not to get bullied. Can't imagine the outcome if it was a car that did the same.
Totally lost interest in driving to Kerala with all these accidents.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Bus and Delivery Van Accident in Kollam, Kerala:

Originally Posted by srvm

Was the bus trying to overtake the white Swift? (around 50-55 seconds into the video)

Not sure if it is just an illusion, but if you observe carefully, that white swift also played a dirty part here. Just as when the bus was starting to overtake him, he was at a lower speed, but as soon as the bus started passing him, he seems to be acceralating and the bus drivers calculation went for a toss. I guess that is what happened. Not blaming him per se, but that looks to have contributed to this whole thing.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Bus and Delivery Van Accident in Kollam, Kerala

Not to sound judgmental, but most accidents related to rash driving of busses seem to emerge in Kerala. Is it me or the bus drivers in Kerala just plain crazy when it comes to safe driving. I always steer clear of them every time I drive to Guruvayur. I am surprised the authorities don't do anything to keep this in check.

[Vasuki]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Bus and Delivery Van Accident in Kollam,

Originally Posted by SR-71

Not to sound judgmental, but most accidents related to rash driving of busses seem to emerge in Kerala. Is it me or the bus drivers in Kerala just plain crazy when it comes to safe driving. I always steer clear of them every time I drive to Guruvayur. I am surprised the authorities don't do anything to keep this in check.

In this case, the said van is used for transporting seafood. They are also known for their rash driving. For them reaching the destination is paramount and most of such vehicles are driven very recklessly.

I'm in no way absolving the attitude of bus drivers.

In Kerala, most of the roads are single lanes and mix it with the inflated ego of road users, perfect recipe for road disaster.

Whatever the reason the outcome is very sad, God help us all.

[GeneralJazz]

Originally Posted by SR-71

Is it me or the bus drivers in Kerala just plain crazy when it comes to safe driving. I always steer clear of them every time I drive to Guruvayur. I am surprised the authorities don't do anything to keep this in check.

No its not just you, the bus drivers are absolutely crazy here, especially in North Kerala. And yeah, as is being proven every single day, they are above the law.

And their behaviour has gotten worse over the years. I believe its partly due to the ever increasing number of vehicles on the road, and the stagnant road infrastructure. Take for example the Thalassery-Calicut stretch. Its about 70 kms, and used to take about 1.5 hrs several years ago. But now, its 2-2.5 hrs minimum during daytime, more if one were to drive safely. There are times when it has taken 4+ hours. To cover 70kms. Yeah

For buses, both KSRTC and private, the timetable mentions about 2 hours for the journey. Take a look at the timings from the KSRTC booking page:



Even with a private car (faster overtakes, better maneuverability), and non-stop drive, it easily takes around 2 hours during daytime traffic.



The only way these buses are going to make this time, that too with stops every couple of kms, is to drive the way they do. To hell with everyone else on the road. And what if they leave a pile of bodies in their wake, they are above the law anyways