A 36-year-old bus driver, Satish Rao, died of a silent heart attack on Wednesday, August 27, while traveling from Indore to Jodhpur, but not before his quick decision to hand over control of the bus to his co-driver likely saved dozens of lives. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred near Kelwa-Rajnagar in Rajasthan’s Pali district, highlighting Rao’s presence of mind in a critical moment.

Rao, driving a private luxury sleeper bus, began feeling unwell around 15 kilometers before the incident. Sensing his deteriorating condition, he promptly handed the steering wheel to his co-driver, a standard protocol for long-distance routes, and sat beside him to rest. CCTV footage shows Rao, seated cross-legged, suddenly fainting and slumping forward 15 to 20 minutes later.

A woman passenger nearby appeared stunned, while others rushed to assist, attempting to revive him by pressing his chest and massaging his legs. Despite their efforts, Rao was unresponsive and was declared dead on arrival at Desuri Hospital. Doctors confirmed a silent heart attack, a condition with minimal symptoms until it becomes fatal, as the cause of death. His family declined a post-mortem or inquiry.

Rao’s foresight in transferring control to his co-driver has been widely praised, as the bus, carrying numerous passengers, could have faced a catastrophic accident had he continued driving. “His responsibility saved countless lives,” said a local police official. The co-driver attempted to find medical help, stopping at a closed pharmacy en route to the hospital, but time ran out.

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This incident follows a tragic pattern in Rajasthan, where recent accidents, like a Sikar crash killing 12 in October 2024, have raised concerns about road safety. Unlike those cases, Rao’s actions prevented disaster, earning him posthumous admiration for his quick thinking.

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