Bus driver goes on rampage in western India, killing 9 people

2012-01-26 16:28:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

PUNE, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- Nine people were killed on early Wednesday morning when a bus driver went on a rampage on a busy street in western India, officials said. Dozens more were injured.

Shortly after 8 a.m. local time in the city of Pune in Maharashtra province, 41-year-old Santosh Mane allegedly stole an empty passenger bus from the Swargate Depot. About 15 minutes later, he went on a 30-minute rampage as he ran over vehicles and people.

Authorities told the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) that Mane had used a master key to hijack the bus after being told there were no spare buses when he reported to work at the bus depot in the morning. He continued by smashing through the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corp depot's iron gates and turned right into the oncoming traffic.

Santosh Hendre, the driver of the hijacked bus, and traffic controller Ajit Limaye ran behind the bus but were unable to stop Mane.

According to reports, Mane ran over a rickshaw and a fruit handcart before driving some 25 to 30 kilometers (15 to 18 miles) through Golibar Maidan, near the military cantonment, East Street, Solapur Bazar, back to Golibar Maidan, Swargate and Sarasbaug. About 30 to 40 vehicles were crushed, as well as motorists and pedestrians.

Confusion and panic continued until a college student was able to barge into the bus and overpower the driver. Officials said nine people were killed while at least 27 others were injured, five of whom are in a serious condition, according to IANS.

The motive for the rampage was not immediately clear, but local authorities described Mane as a 'stressed and dangerous person who showed aggression through his face.'

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-26

master key?

master key?

A key which can open and start all of the company's buses.

Edited January 26, 201214 yr by mpoppel