Bengaluru: Rapido rider and passenger killed in BMTC bus crash after U-turn attempt

A tragic road accident on Bengaluru’s Old Airport Road claimed the lives of a Rapido bike taxi rider and his passenger after they were run over by a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus. The crash, which occurred near ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre around 10 PM, has raised fresh concerns about road safety in the city.

Fatal U-Turn Ends in Disaster

The victims, identified as Tapas (33), a Rapido captain from West Bengal, and his pillion rider—whose identity remains unknown—were attempting a U-turn when tragedy struck. According to the Jeevan Bhima Nagar traffic police, the bike was hit by a BMTC bus on route 335E, which was traveling from Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station) to Kadugodi. The impact was so severe that both men were crushed under the wheels of the speeding bus.

Bystanders rushed to help, but their efforts were in vain. The victims were taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead on arrival. By Thursday morning, authorities had tracked down the BMTC driver, though the bus conductor remains missing.

Phones Destroyed, Passenger’s Identity Uncertain

Identifying the second victim has proven difficult, as both men’s mobile phones and personal belongings were crushed in the accident. Investigators have reached out to Rapido for assistance in determining the passenger’s identity.

A case has been registered, and the Jeevan Bhima Nagar traffic police have launched an investigation into the accident. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited discussions about the reckless speeding of BMTC buses and the need for stricter traffic enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.