A tragic bhandup bus accident claimed four lives and injured nine others when a BEST bus reversed into a queue of pedestrians outside Bhandup railway station Monday night. The incident occurred at 10:05 PM, marking another devastating accident involving Mumbai’s civic-run transport system.

The Victims:

What Happened:

The 52-year-old driver, Santosh Ramesh Sawant, attempted to take a U-turn to reach the adjacent bus depot. However, preliminary reports suggest he accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brakes. Consequently, the bus reversed rapidly and struck passengers waiting in the queue.

Moreover, the air-conditioned nine-meter Olectra electric bus operated on a wet lease from the Vikhroli depot. It was running route 606 between Nagardas Nagar and Bhandup station when disaster struck.

Immediate Response:

Local shopkeepers quickly rushed to help victims after the accident. Bhagwandas, who owns a nearby sweet shop, immediately called ambulances and informed police. Additionally, some injured people received water and first aid inside his shop while authorities contacted their families.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemraj Rajput confirmed the driver was taken into custody. Meanwhile, seriously injured victims received treatment at Fortis Hospital and other medical facilities.

Contributing Factors:

Eyewitnesses blamed hawkers for encroaching on footpaths near the railway station. Furthermore, police officers noted this lane ranks among the most crowded in the suburb. Hawkers occupy much of the space, forcing pedestrians to walk on roads instead.

Saimini Mudaliyar, a local pharmacist, explained that buses struggle to make U-turns outside Bhandup station. “Heavy crowds and hawker encroachment during late evenings create dangerous conditions,” she told reporters.

Government Response:

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh financial assistance for families of the deceased. “This accident is extremely unfortunate,” he stated while wishing speedy recovery for injured victims.

Subsequently, BEST administration suspended driver Santosh Sawant pending investigation. Authorities continue examining what caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

Recent Pattern:

Notably, this marks the second BEST bus accident in consecutive Decembers. Last year on December 9, another BEST bus killed nine people and injured 37 others in Kurla. That incident involved a bus ramming into 20-25 vehicles and pedestrians.

Safety Concerns:

The repeated accidents raise serious questions about:

• Driver training procedures
• Vehicle maintenance standards
• Road safety measures near crowded stations
• Hawker management policies

Investigation Continues:

Police officials work to determine the exact cause of the bhandup bus accident. They examine whether mechanical failure, driver error, or road conditions contributed to this tragedy. Meanwhile, Mumbai residents demand improved safety measures to prevent future incidents involving public transport buses.

British boxing champion Anthony Joshua escaped with minor injuries after a devastating car crash in Nigeria that tragically claimed the lives of two close friends and team members. The accident occurred Monday morning on the dangerous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, shocking the boxing world just days after his recent victory.

The Accident Details:

The crash happened around 11 a.m. local time when Joshua’s Lexus SUV lost control. Preliminary investigations reveal the vehicle was traveling above the speed limit while attempting to overtake another car. Consequently, the SUV crashed into a stationary truck parked alongside the road.

Victims Identified:

The crash killed Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, both integral members of Joshua’s inner circle. Moreover, Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for ten years. He previously worked with NFL player Le’Veon Bell and NBA star Draymond Green.

Additionally, Ayodele was Joshua’s personal trainer who frequently accompanied him during training sessions. Hours before the accident, Ayodele posted an Instagram story showing them playing ping pong together.

Joshua’s Condition:

Medical professionals confirmed Joshua remains in stable condition following thorough clinical evaluations. Furthermore, he sustained only minor bruises and requires no emergency medical intervention. However, doctors will keep him hospitalized for observation.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu personally called Joshua to offer condolences. “I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates,” Tinubu posted on social media. “He assured me he is receiving the best possible care.”

Road Safety Concerns:

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway ranks as Nigeria’s most dangerous road. Statistics show that over 600 fatalities occurred there over 27 months. Therefore, the Federal Road Safety Corps identified excessive speed and wrongful overtaking as leading causes of fatal crashes.

Recent Boxing Success:

Joshua recently defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul via sixth-round knockout on December 19 in Miami. Notably, he broke Paul’s jaw during the fight. This victory marked his return to the ring after more than a year away.

“Life is much more important than boxing,” Paul wrote on social media. “I am praying for the lost lives, AJ, and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Future Plans Uncertain:

Before the accident, Joshua planned to fight in Saudi Arabia in February. Subsequently, he intended to pursue a long-discussed bout with Tyson Fury later in 2026. However, these plans now feel secondary given the tragedy.

Nigerian Heritage:

Joshua, born to Nigerian parents in Watford near London, maintains strong ties to his homeland. Indeed, he honors his Nigerian heritage with an African tattoo highlighting Nigeria on his right shoulder. He briefly attended boarding school there at age 11.

Final Thoughts:

The boxing community rallies around Anthony Joshua during this difficult time. While his physical recovery appears promising, the emotional impact of losing two close friends remains immeasurable. Everyone hopes Britain’s accomplished champion heals completely from this tragic ordeal.

The Trail Blazers vs Mavericks matchup takes center stage Monday night as part of the NBA on NBC doubleheader. Both teams enter this contest dealing with significant injury challenges that could shape the game’s outcome.

Game Overview:

Portland hosts Dallas at home in what promises to be an intriguing battle between injury-depleted squads. Meanwhile, the Mavericks arrive looking to end a frustrating two-game losing streak on their three-game road trip.

Injury Report:

Both teams face serious roster limitations. The Trail Blazers list multiple key players as out, including Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, and Damian Lillard. On the other hand, Dallas misses Anthony Davis for several weeks due to injury concerns.

Additionally, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II remain sidelined for the Mavericks. These absences significantly impact both teams’ depth and scoring capabilities.

Recent Form:

The Blazers recently defeated the Celtics in an impressive home victory. This win concludes their five-game home stand on a positive note. Conversely, Dallas enters this game desperately seeking momentum after consecutive losses.

Key Matchups To Watch:

The battle between Cooper Flagg and Deni Avdija stands out as particularly exciting. Both forwards have displayed tremendous scoring ability this season. Furthermore, they currently serve as primary offensive options for their respective teams.

Betting Insights:

Experts suggest the under might offer value in this matchup. Given the numerous injuries affecting both rosters, analysts expect a potentially low-scoring affair. Moreover, theScore Bet offers new users an attractive promotion: bet $10 and receive $100 in bonus bets if their wager wins.

Team Dynamics:

Portland showed early-season promise but has struggled lately due to limited top-tier talent. Their roster depth simply cannot compensate for missing star players. Nevertheless, home court advantage provides some comfort.

Dallas, meanwhile, has performed better since December started. However, losing Davis for extended time creates significant challenges. The team must find alternative scoring sources while adjusting defensive schemes.

Strategic Considerations:

Both coaches face difficult rotation decisions. Additionally, they must balance player minutes carefully to avoid further injuries. The shortened benches mean starters will likely play extended minutes.

What’s At Stake:

For Portland, maintaining home momentum remains crucial. They need to capitalize on favorable scheduling before hitting the road again. Meanwhile, Dallas seeks to salvage their road trip with a victory before returning home.

Final Thoughts:

The Trail Blazers vs Mavericks game presents an unpredictable scenario due to injury circumstances. While Portland holds slight favorite status at home, Dallas possesses enough talent to compete despite absences. Ultimately, whichever team adapts better to their roster limitations will likely secure victory in this intriguing Monday night showdown.