A tragic accident occurred on the Samruddhi Expressway near Mehkar around 6 am on April 19, reportedly due to the driver’s negligence. A private passenger bus travelling from Mumbai to Pusad met with the mishap close to the Mehkar toll plaza. The incident claimed the life of a one-and-a-half-year-old child, while at least 25 passengers sustained injuries. Among the injured, six individuals are said to be in critical condition. According to preliminary information, the driver lost control of the bus, which then rammed into a car ahead, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
Following the accident, all injured passengers were immediately rushed to the rural hospital in Mehkar for treatment. However, tensions escalated as no doctor was available at the facility for nearly an hour, leaving relatives of the victims furious and distressed. They expressed strong anger over the delay in medical assistance. Currently, those critically injured are undergoing treatment at private hospitals. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over safety measures on the Samruddhi Expressway, with demands growing for strict action against negligence by drivers and transport operators.
Another accident was reported on the Mumbai-Goa Highway on April 19. The accident created panic in the Hatkhamba area. According to initial reports, a speeding goods truck lost control and rammed into four vehicles ahead of it with great force. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicles involved. In a dramatic turn, the truck veered off the road and plunged into a nearby well. Authorities suspect that the truck driver may be trapped beneath the vehicle, raising concerns among rescuers. Despite the intensity of the crash, no fatalities have been reported so far, offering a sense of relief.
As soon as information about the mishap spread, local residents rushed to the spot and alerted the police. Responding swiftly, rural police and highway police teams reached the scene and initiated rescue operations. Injured individuals were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. While the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, preliminary findings suggest that the driver lost control due to high speed. The crash also resulted in extensive damage to other vehicles. Notably, this stretch has witnessed several accidents in the past, yet no concrete preventive measures have been implemented by authorities. Traffic movement, however, was restored soon after.