Three members of a family, including a three-year-old boy, were crushed to death when a bus hit their bike in Motibagh area in South Delhi around 8.45 pm on Friday night, said police on Saturday. The incident took place when the three deceased — Ashish, 24, his mother Shakuntala, 55 and his son Raghav, 4 — were going to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to meet Ashish’s sister-in-law who was admitted there, said police. Residents of Janakpuri in West Delhi, they had left home around 8 pm.
“When they were moving down the slope of the Moti bagh flyover, a speeding DTC bus allegedly hit them from behind and crushed them to death, said a police official.
Passers-by called up police and rushed them to hospital, where Ashish and Shakuntala Devi were declared brought dead. Raghav, who was admitted with a skull injury and multiple fractures on the lower part of his body, succumbed to his injuries around midnight.
Shakuntala Devi, who was pillion riding, and Ashish died on the spot. Raghav was still breathing while being rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, eyewitnesses told police.
The driver of the low-floor DTC bus — reported to be operating on the 623 route between Vasant Vihar and Shahdara — was held by the locals and handed over to police. Agitated locals pelted stones on the bus, which has been impounded by police, said police.
An FIR under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of IPC was registered at RK Puram police station and the driver, identified as Dalwant Singh, was arrested immediately, said the official. Police also recovered two helmets from the spot, suggesting that Ashish and his mother were wearing helmets.
Investigating officials said they are now questioning the driver in connection with the matter and have also approached the DTC top brass requesting them to take strict action against him. “Prime facie it seems that he was at fault completely as he had lost control of the vehicle on flyover descend due to overspeeding,” said cops, adding, “Prompt action will be taken against him.”