Expressway claims 3 more lives
The spate of mishaps on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway continued, as three Pune residents were killed in a gruesome accident that occurred early on Saturday, after the driver of a tempo lost control after being hit by a speeding vehicle, and ramming into the divider. While one person was killed on the spot, two others died in the hospital.
The vehicle, carrying 10 members of the Shelar family, was returning from Mumbai after a funeral. While Piraji Waman Shelar (55), who was driving the tempo, died on the spot, Keru Shelar (60) and Shantabai Gajbij died at a hospital. Amol, a relative of the victims said that the occupants were returning from the funeral of Dhakubai Jagtap, who is Piraji’s sister. “Ratan and Dnyaneshwar are in the Intensive Care Unit of Lokamanya Hospital, while the others are in the general ward,” he said.
The accident occurred at around 6.30 am, outside the Kamshet tunnel on the Pune-bound lane, when the Tata 307 DI tempo was hit by another speeding vehicle from behind. Driver Amit Piraji Shelar lost control of the tempo, and the vehicle skidded, ramming into the divider. The impact of the collision was such that the iron rails smashed into the vehicle, slicing Piraji’s body into half. The other victims were immediately taken to Lokamanya Hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and are said to be out of danger.
Assistant police inspector M.D. Adagle from the Khandala traffic aid post said that an unknown speeding vehicle hit the tempo from behind causing the vehicle to skid. “It is quite possible that the driver must have been sleepy, which might have led him to lose control over the vehicle. Most accidents on the Expressway take place early in the morning, because of drivers who fall asleep on the wheel,” he said.
Mr Adagle added that they are on the look out for a vehicle whose front portion might be damaged, which can help us identify the other driver. “However, it is going to be difficult to trace him now, as hit-and-run drivers immediately give their vehicles for repairs to avoid being tracked,” he said.
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