Neeta Nitin Shah, 75, died in Malabar Hill, South Mumbai, after being crushed between a BEST electric bus and a car. She was struck by the bus's wheel and became trapped while returning from yoga class. She died on the spot due to serious injuries.
Maharashtra: A horrific accident stunned everyone in the usually peaceful Malabar Hill area of Mumbai on Tuesday morning. 75-year-old Neeta Nitin Shah, who was returning from her early morning yoga class, lost her life after being trapped between a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) electric bus and a parked car. The accident was so severe that, according to eyewitnesses, there was no time to save her.
Morning of the Accident
On Tuesday morning, around 9:10 AM, Neeta Shah, considered a well-known and active elderly woman in the area, had finished her yoga session and reached near Sahyadri Guest House. Due to the early hour, there was relatively less traffic on the road, but a BEST electric bus from Mumbai Central Depot, heading towards Kamala Nehru Park, was passing by.
According to eyewitnesses, upon seeing the bus approaching, Neeta Shah moved closer to a parked car to give the bus space. However, the bus driver passed the vehicle at an extremely close distance from the car. During this maneuver, the bus's front left wheel struck Neeta's leg, causing her to lose balance and become trapped between the bus and the car. In the next moment, her body was crushed between the two vehicles.
Chaos and Rescue Attempt
As Neeta Shah screamed in pain, people nearby rushed to help her. The bus driver also stopped the vehicle and got out upon hearing the sound. But by then, Neeta had been seriously injured. People at the scene immediately took her to the nearby JJ Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
Driver's Statement and Police Action
Police immediately took the bus driver into custody and registered a case of death due to negligence. During interrogation, the driver said that he had no idea that the woman was standing so close to the bus. He stated that he only became aware of the accident after hearing the woman's scream. Currently, the police are scanning CCTV footage to ascertain the exact sequence of events.
BEST's Reaction and Questions on Safety
Officials from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) described the accident as extremely tragic. A senior official said, "We train our drivers to drive safely and cautiously, but in this incident, a precious life has been lost due to negligence. We express our condolences to the bereaved family and will fully cooperate in the investigation."
Serious questions are now being raised about the safety of pedestrians in Malabar Hill, which is considered a VIP area. Local residents say that the roads are narrow and there is not enough space left for pedestrians to walk due to vehicle parking. In such a situation, the risk of accidents increases when buses or large vehicles pass by. Some citizens have demanded that time limits be set for the entry of large vehicles into this area and that the pedestrian paths be widened.
Mourning in the Family and Community
Neeta Shah was very popular among the people around her. Neighbors say that she was health-conscious, helpful, and of a cheerful disposition. Doing yoga was her daily habit. Her sudden death has plunged her family, friends, and the entire community into deep shock.
