Team Herald
VASCO: Though Verna police have registered a case against the KTC shuttle service driver Tony Fernandes for rash driving and negligence, few passengers have claimed that the driver actually used his presence of mind to save their lives and of others commuting along the road.
After reading media reports, few passengers contacted Herald and tried to explain what actually happened. According to Nikhil Pai, a resident of Panjim, he along with three other co-passengers who were injured in the accident at Verna, did not wait for the police and rushed to a private hospital at Panjim for treatment. Though 17 passengers were injured, Pai was however shocked that the police booked the bus driver who saved many lives. “On the day of the incident, I was sitting on the first seat. It was the quick thinking of the bus driver that saved the lives not only of passengers but even other motorists who were moving in the same direction. Had Fernandes not acted at the right time, it would have caused a serious accident,” Pai told Herald.
“Near the Verna slope, the driver tried his best to apply the brakes, as he realised that brakes were not working. He chose to save lives of many and moved the bus to the left side of the road and dashed against the rocky area excavated for road widening. The state government should appreciate his efforts and not punish him for this accident which was due to mechanical failure,” he mentioned
“I am yet to receive the inquiry report. If the driver has done something good then he will surely be rewarded for his bravery”, KTC chairman and Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said.
