A fatal crash on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway left one woman dead and 18 others injured on Saturday afternoon. The accident occurred when a trailer truck, whose brakes reportedly failed, collided with 22 vehicles on the busy stretch of the highway near Khalapur, causing widespread chaos. The deceased woman, 58, was travelling with six other passengers in an SUV. Tragically, she succumbed to severe head injuries, while the others were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The crash unfolded on the section of the expressway between Adoshi Tunnel and Food Mall, which lies between the Khalapur and Khandala areas. The force of the collision left multiple cars, including taxis, hatchbacks, and SUVs, damaged. Several vehicles were left strewn across the road, severely disrupting traffic flow on one of the busiest roads in Maharashtra. According to a police official at the Khopoli Police Station, the 18 injured passengers were swiftly transported to the MGM Hospital in Kamothe, Navi Mumbai. The condition of the injured ranged from serious to minor, with a nine-year-old boy among the victims. While two of the injured were classified as critical, the others were receiving medical attention for fractures, including those to the pelvis, head, and spine. An official at the hospital stated that diagnostic procedures, including CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays, were underway to assess the full extent of the injuries.
A detailed investigation into the cause of the trailer truck’s brake failure is currently underway. Police have stated that the driver, who hails from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, was taken into custody immediately after the incident. A breathalyser test was conducted, confirming that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. The official investigation, led by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), will aim to uncover whether mechanical failure or another factor led to the truck’s brakes failing, resulting in the disastrous chain of collisions. The tragic accident caused significant delays on the expressway, as the queue of vehicles stretched up to 6 km, disrupting traffic for several hours. A cab driver, who was en route to the Mumbai airport at the time of the crash, reported a 45-minute delay due to the blockage caused by the wreckage. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many vehicles severely damaged and emergency services quickly responding to clear the road and assist the injured.
As of now, authorities are continuing their efforts to clear the wreckage and ensure the safety of motorists travelling along this busy expressway. A police investigation is ongoing, and the truck driver faces charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Motor Vehicles Act for causing death and injuries through reckless and negligent driving. This tragic incident once again underscores the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and the need for stronger regulations to ensure road safety across India. The collision also highlights the vulnerability of highway travellers, particularly during high-traffic periods when accidents can have devastating consequences.
The families of those affected, particularly the woman who lost her life, are in mourning, and the ongoing investigation will hopefully shed light on how such a catastrophic event could have been prevented.
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