Kolhapur: A 55-year-old sweeper was killed after being run over by a state transport bus while climbing out of a vehicle inspection pit at the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s maintenance workshop near Kolhapur Central Bus Stand on Saturday morning.

The deceased, identified as Pandurang Annappa Chavan, was a resident of Bhadole village and had been working as a sweeper at the workshop for several years.

According to preliminary information, Chavan arrived at the workshop on Saturday morning and began cleaning the inspection pit. After coming out, he reportedly re-entered the pit to retrieve an item he had left behind. Around the same time, an ST bus entered the workshop. Assuming that no one was inside the pit, the driver proceeded forward. However, after hearing a loud thud, he stopped the bus.

“Chavan had injuries on his head and legs. He was rushed to the CPR Hospital where he died. We have registered the offence against the driver under section 106 of BNS. The deceased’s son has filed a complaint. The driver is yet to be arrested,” Sagar Gunvare, sub-inspector of Shahupuri Police Station, said.