Mumbai: Two people were killed and six others sustained injuries when oversized pipes dislodged from a moving truck on the Mumbai-Pune corridor, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The incident occurred near Bhor Ghat’s Hindustan Organic Chemicals (HOC) bridge yesterday as the Mumbai-bound truck crossed the bridge. Witnesses reported its unsecured load slipping onto the roadway. A following car swerved to evade the falling pipes but suffered a direct impact, violently colliding with a two-wheeler.
Scooter rider Rutika Chavan (20) died instantly at the scene. Her critically injured companion, Vaibhav Galande (29) of Warje, Pune, was rushed to Jakhotia Hospital in Khopoli. Within the crushed car, Ankita Shinde (28) lost her life. Four fellow Bhosari residents – Sonali Khadadate (33), Shivraj Khadadate (33), Lata Shinde (50), and Lalit Shinde (30) – sustained injuries and were admitted to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal Hospital.
The aftermath paralysed the highway for over an hour. Traffic resumed only after Khopoli police and accident response teams cleared debris. Local social workers Sanjay Mhatre, Ankush More, and relief teams assisted with the evacuation of victims.
Khopoli Police officials stated, "Potential cargo negligence is under investigation."