A tragic road accident claimed the life of a 20-year-old youth and left his friend critically injured after a speeding Maharashtra State Transport (ST) bus collided with their bike near Hindmata Bridge in Dadar during the early hours of Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Ishaq Akbar Shaikh (20), a resident of Mazgaon, while his friend Arbaaz Mohammad Firoz Ansari (23) sustained severe injuries in the mishap. Ansari is currently undergoing treatment at KEM Hospital, and his condition is reported to be critical.
According to police sources, the accident occurred around 2 am on Dr. B. A. Road, southbound lane of Hindmata Bridge. Ishaq, who had completed his Class 10 education and was unemployed, was actively seeking job opportunities at the Dockyard in Mazgaon. On Saturday night, around 11 pm, Ishaq had visited Mahim with his friend Arbaaz. His mother, concerned about his whereabouts, had contacted him over the phone, to which Ishaq assured her he was on his way home. However, when he failed to return even late into the night, his family attempted to reach him again around 2:15 am.
Tragically, the call was answered by an unknown person who informed the family that both Ishaq and Arbaaz had met with an accident and were admitted to KEM Hospital. Ishaq’s father, Akbar Mansoor Ali Shaikh, who works as a security guard, rushed to the hospital along with his wife, only to receive the heartbreaking news that their son had succumbed to his injuries before admission. Arbaaz, however, was found to be critically injured and is still under medical care.
Preliminary investigations by Bhoiwada Police revealed that Arbaaz was riding the bike with Ishaq as pillion when the incident occurred. The duo was returning home from Mahim when a speeding ST bus rammed into their two-wheeler on Hindmata Bridge’s southbound stretch.
The impact left both young men grievously injured, and they were immediately rushed to KEM Hospital by passersby. Sadly, doctors declared Ishaq dead on arrival, while Arbaaz continues to battle for his life.
Meanwhile, the ST bus driver fled the scene immediately after the accident. Bhoiwada Police have registered a case against the absconding driver for reckless and negligent driving, which resulted in the death of one and serious injury to another. A manhunt has been launched to trace the driver.