Murbad–Malshej Ghat Highway Crash: 3 Killed, 5 Injured After ST Bus Collides With SUV

Three people lost their lives and five others, including a child, suffered serious injuries in a devastating road accident on the Murbad–Malshej Ghat highway on May 5. The collision took place near the Vashakhare bend when a state transport bus and a Scorpio SUV crashed head-on. Visuals from the accident spot later surfaced online, capturing the horrifying aftermath of the incident. The videos showed the SUV completely wrecked due to the impact, while bodies of the victims were seen lying on the road. The tragic crash shocked locals and commuters travelling through the accident-prone Malshej Ghat stretch during the morning hours.

As per initial information, the accident occurred on the Kalyan–Ahilyanagar route when an ST bus travelling from Kalyan towards Ahilyanagar collided with an SUV approaching from the opposite direction. The crash reportedly took place at a sharp turn near Vashakhare, where visibility is limited, and vehicles often slow down cautiously. The force of the collision severely damaged the front portions of both vehicles, leaving them badly crushed. According to reports, two passengers in the SUV, including a man and a woman, died instantly at the scene, while another injured victim later passed away during medical treatment, raising the death toll to three.

Five people injured in the collision, including a minor child, were immediately rescued and taken for treatment. Reports stated that at least two of the injured victims were in critical condition. Residents from nearby areas rushed to the location moments after the crash and actively participated in the rescue operation. They helped pull trapped passengers out of the mangled vehicles before emergency teams arrived. The injured were shifted to the rural hospital in Tokawade for urgent medical attention. The prompt assistance provided by locals played an important role in ensuring that the injured victims received timely treatment after the devastating highway accident.

After receiving information about the crash, officials from the Tokawade highway police unit reached the site and began emergency response operations. Police personnel coordinated rescue work, managed traffic congestion, and arranged for the damaged vehicles to be removed from the road. Traffic movement on the highway, which had remained disrupted for some time following the collision, was later restored. Preliminary findings indicate that the accident may have occurred due to a dangerous overtaking attempt near the bend, which is considered one of the risky spots along the Malshej Ghat route. Authorities have registered a case and started a detailed investigation into the exact circumstances behind the fatal collision.