Mumbai, June 10 -- The electric BEST bus involved in the fatal June 8 accident in Dadar West that killed one person suddenly accelerated from around 15-16 kmph to 24 kmph before crashing into a crane and coming to a halt, according to preliminary findings from the civic transport undertaking's ongoing investigation. BEST officials said investigators are examining various aspects, including the possibility of human error and a brake failure. Meanwhile, the Shivaji Park police have written to the Tardeo Regional Transport Office (RTO) to inspect the Olectra-manufactured bus and determine whether any technical fault caused the accident, as claimed by the accused driver, Vikas Padave, 42. The electric bus, hired on a wet-lease basis from operator EV Trans Pvt Ltd, rammed into five vehicles near Plaza Cinema in Dadar on Monday morning before crashing into a crane at a bridge construction site. A 26-year-old delivery rider was killed, while six other people were injured in the accident. BEST engineers have conducted a preliminary inspection of the bus. Officials said the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) installed in the vehicle recorded a sudden acceleration. "According to ITMS, the speed of the bus before it lost control was around 15-16 kmph. The peak speed recorded by ITMS was 24 kmph at the time of impact onto the crane stationed on the road, after which it came to a halt," said a BEST official, requesting anonymity. According to officials, when Padave released the handbrake after starting the bus, it zipped forward and picked up speed. Officials said there is a possibility the gear was in Drive mode rather than Neutral or Parking when the bus started. "As it gained speed, there are chances of human error, as there is a possibility that he might have pressed on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. However, there is information that the brake was not working. Hence, we will have to look at various aspects," said another BEST official. While Padave has been booked for causing death by negligence and rash driving, the police have written to the RTO to carry out an inspection of the bus. "This is important for us as the driver of the bus has told us orally that when he released the handbrake, the bus started speeding and he could not control it. He was searching for a vacant place and finally decided to crash it near a crane at an under-construction site," said a police officer from Shivaji Park police station. The police said they are still recording Padave's detailed statement, as he is admitted in Sion Hospital with a leg injury sustained during the accident. "We will also be calling the [wet-lease] company executives to check the vehicle and take their response as well," said the police officer. BEST has directed all private operators to tighten safety measures and strictly comply with standard operating procedures....