KOLKATA: Racing buses led to yet another accident in the city as a 54-year-old man suffered multiple injuries when he was hit by a private

near

crossing after falling down from another bus that had started moving even before he could get on to it.

Debashis Das, a resident of Uluberia in

suffered severe injuries on his head, spine and legs and was taken to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where from his relatives took him to a private hospital on EM bypass. Police said his condition remained to be critical till late on Thursday.

The incident happened around 2.20pm on the CR Avenue bound flank of Bhupen Bose Avenue in front of gate no. 2 of Shyambazar Metro station. Das was carrying a bag and was possibly heading for home after some work at Shyambazar.

Witnesses said, Das was waiting near the bus stop and waved at the mini bus of route Shyambazar to Howrah. The bus in front was racing with another bus of the same route that was trying to overtake the mini bus from left. The mini bus slowed down on the middle of the road to pick Das and just as he had placed one foot on the footboard, the vehicle sped up and he lost his grip and fell on the road. The bus from behind hit him and screeched to halt.

“The mini bus he was trying to board had never stopped properly. The man had run to the middle of the road to catch the bus and before he could properly climb the steps, the vehicle began speeding and the man lost his balance as he fell on the road. Once, down, the bus from behind hit him and he was left in a bloodied mess,” said Prasanta Mondal, who sells fruit juice on the pavement near which the accident took place.

Local residents immediately rushed for help and alerted officers of Shyambazar

at the crossing who came in with a police ambulance and took Das, bleeding from his head and legs to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, less than a km from the spot.

Officers of Shyampukur Police station also reached the spot and seized the bus of route Shyambazar – Amtala in Howrah. However, the driver had managed to give a slip. Police have started a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver and have started a search to nab the offender.