In this vibrant crossroad of the bustle of Bengaluru’s urban town, and a rabid scene between cars, it was only a single second that saved a life, though blood and shock. A private bus driver was crowned a hero after a woman was saved from getting crushed under the wheels of his vehicle on the notorious Cottonpet Road. It was all caught on nearby CCTV during early morning rush hour. The video was then made viral on social media and prompted off a debate surrounding how driver vigilance amidst busy intersections in densely populated cities is very important to have in its wake.
The Seconds That Counted
In the clip, two women, on a scooter were whizzing along the cramped dirt rush of Cottonpet Road. The rider then appeared to lose control of the two-wheeler due to a challenging road, packed roads, an uneven part of traffic, or difficulty gaining maximum control. The riders in the video didn’t feel safe by their scooter.
WATCH: Miraculous Escape for Two Women in Bengaluru! Private Bus Driver Slams Brakes Just in Time After Scooter Falls on Busy Cottonpet Road. #BengaluruNews #Miracle #TrafficSafety pic.twitter.com/7qncTXqcjf
— Saptashwa TV (@SaptashwaTV) January 9, 2026
The scooter skidded in seconds to the point where not only was the scooter’s pillion passenger lost, but the rider too, falling onto the asphalt. Pillion, the woman on the scooter, spilled directly into the path of an approaching private bus. Witnesses seemed to believe a fatal crash was certain. Yet at that instant, the bus driver — who, in theory, was driving at a safe speed and managing the road around safely — stopped on the brakes the moment he had a glimpse of the scooter’s wobble. “The bus stopped inches — less than a few centimeters — as the woman went tumbling to the ground. It was a miracle of timing and presence of mind,” the local news reported from an eyewitness.
Local Police Response
As soon as the incident happened, passers-by and nearby shopkeepers rushed to help the two women. Both women were traumatized and scratched lightly, but they survived without any serious trauma. The bus driver, whose name has not yet been released by the company that transports him, remained at the scene to ensure the victims were safe.
The Bengaluru City Police has viewed the viral footage and says it praises the driver for his discipline. At least some initial investigations examined the cause of the skid on the scooter — whether it had a structural problem within the bike?
What it means for your drive?
The incident illustrates very clear how defensive driving can prevent so many tragic outcomes. Cottonpet Road contains narrow lanes and heavy traffic, and is famously one of the most accident-prone roads. A few words from busmen in popular areas:
- Be realistic — Always leave a buffer for heavy vehicles — whether from a busier trucking partner or a company trucking.
- Weather awareness: Be very cautious that there’s a risk of oil spills, sand, and uneven manhole covers -- leading to skidding.
- Driver alertness: This was a testament to how professional drivers who stayed away from distractions such as cell phones have saved lives in an unexpected condition.
