Motorcyclist killed as bus overturns in Mumbai

Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) A motorcyclist was killed Friday after he was trapped under a double decker commuter bus that overturned in Bandra in northwest Mumbai, an official said here.

"A motorcyclist was killed after he was trapped under the BEST bus that overturned while taking a sharp turn. The victim was declared brought dead when taken to a nearby hospital," an official from the civic disaster management cell told IANS.

BEST General Manager O.P. Gupta said that mmediate compensation of Rs.50,000 has been declared for the deceased as per the company's policy. "A decision on further compensation will be taken later," he said.

The victim has been identified as Harish Pillai, a resident of Borivli suburb in northwest Mumbai. However, BEST officials said that they are still verifying the identity of the victim.

Nearly 60 people were travelling in the bus. Police officers, along with locals launched rescue operations. A huge crane had to be brought in to first righten the bus.

"Twenty-six injured were taken to a hospital. Only three of them will need to be admitted. However, they are stable and out of danger. The others were discharged after treatment," Gupta told IANS.