Two die as DTC bus rams into vehicles at Azadpur station

New Delhi: Two person, including of a 15-year-old boy, were killed and five others were injured when a low-floor DTC bus rammed into public transport vehicles in North Delhi’s Azadpur area on Wednesday morning. A tyre burst is suspected to have caused the accident.

The incident took place outside the Azadpur Metro station where a few e-rickshaws and autorickshaws were parked on the road. It was a narrow escape for over 40 passengers who were on board Kamla Market-Mangolpuri-bound bus, route no 901.

The deceased have been identified as 15-year-old Sparsh Rawal, a resident of Mahindra Enclave in Model Town and a Class 10 student. Another deceased was identified as Devendar Prasad, 45, a resident of Mangolpuri.

The three injured have been identified as Shahrukh (21), a resident of Lohia Graden, and Tarun (37), a resident of Tagore Garden, and Akarsh Singh (35). The police said Sparsh succumbed to death at Fortis Hospital while Devendra was declared brought dead at Jag Jeevan Ram Hsopital.  

Following the accident, tension prevailed near Azadpur Metro station after infuriated locals gathered vandalised the bus. The bus driver managed to flee the spot. However, he was arrested later in the day. The accused driver has been identified as Ranbeer Singh, 54.

The bus was said to be speeding at 70km per hour and allegedly hit an e-rickshaw and dragged it for over 50 metres. The bus then rammed into another e-rickshaw which was coming form the wrong side and later hit a stationary autorickshaw before coming to a grinding halt. The impact of the collision was such that the e-rickshaws and TSR turned into scarp.