Akola bus driver suffers heart attack-like attack; conductor takes wheel, 25 passengers safe

A driver of a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus in Akola suddenly developed heart attack-like symptoms while driving. There were 25 passengers on board and all their lives were at risk, but the conductor kept his head and a major accident was averted.

The bus (MH 06/BW 0903), from the Nagpur depot, left Nagpur for Dhule on Friday with 25 passengers. When it reached Akola in the afternoon, the driver was changed. Rajendra Lasurkar then took charge for the onward journey.

Before the bus reached Vyala village in Balapur taluka, Lasurkar began to feel chest pain. His condition worsened suddenly and he told the conductor.

Seeing the driver's condition deteriorate, conductor Pyarelal Chavan did not lose a moment. He seated Lasurkar on the rear seat of the bus, with passengers helping. Chavan then sat in the driver's seat, took the steering wheel and, with the passengers' cooperation, drove the bus straight to the government general hospital. Lasurkar was admitted there immediately for treatment.

The conductor's presence of mind saved the lives of the 25 passengers, along with the driver, and averted major damage. The driver's condition is reported to be serious and he is undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, an allegation has also come from the driver. Lasurkar had met with an accident on Thursday and was unwell as a result. For this reason he had applied for leave to the depot chief. The driver alleges that his leave was rejected and he was sent on duty.

Some passengers have made the same allegation along with the driver. They say the depot chief sent the driver on duty even though he was unwell, putting the lives of 25 passengers at risk.