Stopped to give way, crushed to death hyva truck kills 17-year-old girl at Hirapur

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

She stopped her two-wheeler to let a school bus pass. That act of caution cost Mansvi Vijay Gadge her life.

The 17-year-old from Hirapur was on her way to deliver food to her ailing father, admitted at a hospital in Chikalthana MIDC, when a Hyva truck engaged in murrum dumping for a Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company (MSETCL) project reversed without warning and ran her over. The accident occurred around 11 am on Tuesday near a school on the narrow road at Hirapur. Critically injured, Mansvi was first rushed to a private hospital at Chistiya Chowk, 11 km away which refused admission. She was then transferred a further 6.4 km to Government Medical College and Hospital. The gruelling 18-km journey in critical condition delayed treatment and worsened her injuries. She died later that night.

-----

A daughter on a simple errand

Mansvi's father Vijay, a manager at a private hotel, was undergoing treatment when she set out that morning. Her mother, who was with her, was thrown aside in the impact. Mansvi bore the full force of the reversing truck and suffered severe injuries below the waist. Shockingly, the vehicle carried no registration number despite being deployed for a government infrastructure project.

-----

Protest outside police station

Outraged residents and family members staged a three-hour demonstration outside Chikalthana police station on Wednesday, demanding strict action against the driver and the authorities responsible. Following the protests, police registered a case against the Hyva driver, MSETCL and its contractor, holding all three accountable for her death, confirmed officer Sudhakar Bochare. Head constable Sunil Surse is conducting the further investigation.

----

Ground reality unchanged

A ground visit on Wednesday exposed the persistent dangers on the stretch from Jalna Road to Hirapur. Ongoing private construction has brought a steady stream of cement mixers and unregistered Hyva trucks onto narrow, dust-choked roads operating without any regulation. Despite the tragedy, heavy vehicles continued to ply recklessly, posing an undiminished risk to commuters.

----

A bright future cut short

Mansvi had just completed her Class 12 examinations and was preparing for her CET. Beyond academics, she shouldered family responsibilities well beyond her years. She is survived by her younger sister.