Three tourists travelling from Pune to Torna Fort survived after their car rolled backwards and fell into a gorge nearly 150 feet deep at Pabe Ghat on Saturday morning, with fellow travellers and a local rescue team helping bring them to safety.
The accident took place at about 7.30 am while the car was climbing the ghat road in Pune district. According to a report by Lokmat, the vehicle stopped suddenly as the three occupants were travelling from Hadapsar towards Torna Fort. The driver was attempting to restart it when the car began sliding backwards on the wet and slippery road.
The occupants were identified as Monis Arvind Chabdiya, Ritika Singh and Umesh Bagade, all residents of Pune. Within moments, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it went off the side of the road into the gorge, the report said.
Travellers arriving behind the car responded immediately after the crash. Before the rescue team reached the location, they descended into the gorge using ropes and helped remove all three occupants from the vehicle. The rescue effort was carried out amid difficult conditions created by rain and the steep terrain.
Tanaji Bhosale, Tyaney Sapkal, Sandeep Solaskar and Dilip Talekar were among those named as members of the rescue team involved in the operation. Dattatray Kalbe also assisted in the rescue, according to the report. Their combined efforts helped move the three occupants to a safe location.
All three tourists were injured and were taken to the Velhe Primary Health Centre, where they received initial treatment. They were later sent to Pune city for further medical care. The report did not provide details of the nature or severity of their injuries.
The crash has drawn attention to the risks of travelling on ghat roads during rainy conditions, when water and mud can reduce tyre grip and make vehicle control more difficult. The report noted that vehicle maintenance, brake checks and maintaining a safe distance are important precautions for motorists using such roads.
The immediate rescue operation was completed with assistance from fellow tourists, local residents and the rescue team. Further medical care for the three injured occupants was the next reported step.
