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The brakes failed, but the driver didn't

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, SEPT. 14. Some 50 passengers on a city transport bus had a miraculous escape on Tuesday after the vehicle's brakes failed, thanks to the alertness of the bus driver who brought the vehicle to a halt by ramming it into the median.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation 21 G (Tambaram to High Court) was coming down the bridge over the Adyar river on the Kotturpuram High Road, when its brakes failed. The driver, C. Kathirmani, who quickly realised the situation, showed good presence of mind, driving the bus close to the median, and then taking it over the median. The bus, belonging to the Tambaram depot, came to a halt rapidly with no one being hurt

The incident took place at 5.20 p.m. when luckily the traffic flow was not very high. The passengers had a good word for the driver's for deft handling of the situation.

The incident however brings into focus maintenance — or the lack of it — of city buses. Commuters often hear bus crews complain about the lack of concern over the mechanical condition of the buses, which should speak for itself.

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