Hyderabad: A 16-year-old girl was run over by an RTC bus while attempting to get down when it was taking a turn, at Madhuranagar on Friday. Police said the victim, Mehreen. Intermediate student at a college in Yousufguda, was just a few metres away from her stop when the accident occurred.
A video of the incident was widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter). It was only when a woman rushed to the spot that the bus stopped and the accident came to notice.
Passersby called the Madhuranagar police who shifted Mehreen to hospital. After doctors declared her dead, she was shifted to the Osmania General Hospital mortuary.
Asked about the accident, an RTC official, Srinivasa, said, “We have been creating awareness among the drivers in order to prevent any accidents. In this case, the driver was at fault for not stopping the vehicle and not being vigilant.”
Asked what action would be taken against the driver, Srinivasa said that a committee would be constituted and the driver would be suspended.
Reacting to the video of the incident, a social media user commented, “Buses are meant to stop at a designated BUS STAND. If we don’t follow this fundamental point, such tragic accidents will continue. This is what makes us a THIRD WORLD country. No Mahreen should die like this…never. In that video alone, there are multiple traffic violations (sic).”
Another user said, “Hyderabad govt bus does not stop but tells me to get off…. Utro Utro . I too had narrowly escaped falling once, my friend caught me. (Hyd buses don’t stop and drivers ask us to get down. I was once about to fall down.)
Criticising the quality of buses, a user said, “In comparison to buses in Bengaluru and Delhi, Hyderabad city buses are 30 years behind. Smoky dabbas with wheels, stops in the middle of the roads, unnecessarily honking even in red traffic lights. All totally very low class buses and its management.”
Another user stated, “Unnecessary pressure on kids by giving free bus (travel0. Parents should encourage them to travel safe no matter what.”
