A car carrying three tourists to Torna Fort fell into a gorge about 150 feet deep at Pabe Ghat in Pune district after it stopped while climbing the rain-slick road on Saturday morning. All three occupants survived the fall and were rescued with ropes by fellow tourists and a local rescue team before being taken for medical treatment.
The accident occurred at around 7.30 am on October 31, according to a report by Lokmat – Pune. Monis Arvind Chabdiya, Ritika Singh and Umesh Bagade, all residents of Pune, were travelling from Hadapsar towards Torna Fort when their car reportedly stopped while ascending Pabe Ghat.
As the driver tried to restart the vehicle, the car began sliding backwards on the wet road. It soon went out of control and fell from the roadside into the gorge. The report said that rain and moisture on the road contributed to the vehicle losing traction.
Tourists travelling behind the car responded immediately after the accident. Before the formal rescue team reached the location, they reportedly descended into the gorge using ropes and helped bring all three occupants out of the vehicle. The rescue operation was later supported by a local team comprising Tanaji Bhosale, Tyaney Sapkal, Sandeep Solaskar and Dilip Talekar, along with Dattatray Kalbe.
The three occupants sustained injuries and were taken to the Velhe primary health centre. After receiving initial treatment, they were sent to Pune city for further medical care. The report did not provide details about the severity of their injuries or identify the hospital in Pune where they were later admitted.
The incident highlights the immediate risks faced by motorists on steep ghat roads during the rainy season, when water and mud can reduce tyre grip and make it difficult for a stationary vehicle to hold position. A vehicle losing power while climbing can begin rolling backwards, leaving little time for the driver or following motorists to respond.
The account also underlines the role of nearby travellers and local responders in reaching accident sites that may be difficult for emergency services to access quickly. In this case, the first rescue effort was carried out with ropes by tourists at the location, followed by assistance from the local rescue team.
The report advised motorists using ghat roads during wet conditions to ensure that vehicles are properly maintained, check their brakes before travel and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. No further official action or road-safety measure following the accident was mentioned in the supplied report.
