Racing bus kills woman at Exide; School bus runs over elderly at Wellington

Kolkata witnessed two fatal accidents on Monday morning in separate incidents at Exide crossing and Wellington. Around 9 AM, Reshmi Nandi (45), a resident of Baranagar, was fatally hit by a private bus on route 222 while it was attempting to overtake a government bus near Exide crossing. According to eyewitnesses, both buses were engaged in a high-speed race when the private bus lost control and struck Reshmi, who was on her way to a cultural event at Rotary Sadan. She was rushed to SSKM Hospital in critical condition, where she succumbed to her injuries. The bus driver initially fled but was later apprehended in Shyambazar.

In another accident earlier in the morning, 76-year-old Shanti Devi was crushed under the wheels of a school bus at Wellington crossing. She was immediately taken to NRS Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. Details regarding how the accident occurred are still under investigation. Officials are reviewing CCTV footage from the area, and authorities have taken statements from witnesses. The identity of the school involved has not yet been disclosed.

Both incidents have raised concerns about road safety and reckless driving in Kolkata. The police have detained both bus drivers, and their vehicles have been seized. Investigations are underway to determine possible negligence and traffic rule violations. According to traffic authorities, legal proceedings will be initiated based on the findings. Preliminary reports suggest that the Exide accident resulted from dangerous competition between the two buses, a recurring issue on busy Kolkata roads. The police have urged stricter enforcement of traffic rules to prevent such accidents.