Speeding fuel tanker rams loading rickshaw; driver narrowly escapes

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A major accident occurred around 1 pm on Saturday near Grand Sarovar Hotel on the Dhule–Solapur National Highway when a speeding petrol–diesel tanker rammed into a loading auto-rickshaw from behind, completely crushing the vehicle.

In the accident, rickshaw driver Dnyaneshwar Awhad got trapped in the tanker and was dragged for nearly half a kilometre. Fortunately, eyewitnesses rushed to the spot and managed to stop the tanker, saving the driver’s life. According to information, the loading rickshaw (MH-20-EF-0543) was travelling on the highway when the tanker (MH-20-DE-1188), transporting petrol and diesel, crashed into it from behind. After the collision, the rickshaw got stuck under the tanker and was dragged along with the driver for some distance, causing severe damage to the vehicle. Local residents and motorists immediately rushed to the spot, stopped the tanker and rescued the driver. The injured driver was shifted for primary medical treatment. The tanker driver has been identified as Datta. Traffic was disrupted for some time after the accident. A case was being registered at Waluj MIDC Police Station till late evening.

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Dragged for half a kilometre:

After the tanker rammed into the rickshaw, the vehicle got stuck underneath and driver Dnyaneshwar Awhad was dragged for nearly half a kilometre before bystanders managed to stop the tanker and rescue him, preventing a major tragedy.