BEST Bus Driver Arrested After 9-Year-Old Boy Killed In Malad Bicycle Accident

A nine-year-old boy was killed on Friday morning in the Appapada area of Malad (East) in Mumbai after a BEST bus hit the bicycle he was riding pillion on. The victim, identified as Rupesh Dhotre, was crushed under the vehicle's rear tyre during the collision.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. when Dhotre and his 14-year-old cousin were returning home. The two children had gone to meet their grandmother in the vicinity and were traveling back on a bicycle, which was being ridden by the cousin.

According to sources, a BEST bus overtook the bicycle and allegedly struck it from behind. The impact caused both boys to fall onto the road. While the cousin survived the fall, Dhotre fell directly under the rear tyre of the bus.

The victim's father, who happened to be returning home at the same time, witnessed the entire accident. He, along with several local residents who gathered at the scene, immediately rushed the young boy to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, Dhotre was declared dead upon arrival at the medical facility.

Following the accident, the police arrested the driver of the BEST bus, identified as 34-year-old Dilip Gangad. The police have officially booked Gangad under charges of causing death by negligence.

Investigators are currently in the process of recording statements from concerned persons. They are also closely studying CCTV footage from the Appapada area to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal crash.