Buldhana bus tragedy: Driver was under influence of liquor when accident took place, says forensic report

A forensic probe into July 1 bus trdy in Maharashtra's Buldhana, in which 25 passengers were charred to death, has revealed that its driver was under influence of liquor when accident occurred, a police official said on Friday.

sleeper coach bus caught fire after hitting a divider on Nagpur-Mumbai 'Samruddhi Expressway' at Pimpalkhuta vill in Buldhana in wee hours of Saturday. Eight persons, including driver and 'cleaner' (driver's assistant), survived horrific accident.

driver, identified as Danish Shaikh, was subsequently arrested for negligent driving.

Talking to PTI, a senior police official said, " chemical analysis report of regional Forensic Science Laboratory revealed that 0.30 per cent alcohol was found in blood sample of driver." " percent of alcohol content must have been much higher as driver's blood sample was taken 12 to 13 hours after accident," he said.

Earlier, a report prepared by Amaravati Regional Transport Office (RTO) said as per details provided by a survivor, bus dashed into a steel pole on right side, leing to driver losing control. It n hit divider.

After front axle assembly got dislocated, front portion of bus hit ro and resultant friction generated heat and fire (as engine oil temperature was also high since bus was in on mode), report said.

vehicle n overturned on its left side, which blocked passenger entrance-exit, and loss of alignment of vehicle due to impact of accident also me emergency door iperative, creating a virtual death trap for passengers.