Mumbai-Pune Expressway Accident: Brake Failure Triggers 25-Vehicle Pile-Up, 1 Dead & 18 Injured

Mumbai-Pune Expressway Accident: One woman was killed and 18 people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Saturday afternoon after a trailer’s brakes failed in Khalapur taluka. The trailer-truck went out of control for 6km and hit several vehicles and caused a 25-car pile-up.

“One 58-year-old woman Anita Ekhande, a native of Dharashiv, died in the accident,” The superintendent of police, Raigad district, Anchal Dalal confirmed to Sunday mid-day. “Eighteen people are injured, two of them are critically wounded. They are recuperating at MGM Hospital in Panvel,” Dalal added.

The incident occurred near Adoshi tunnel under Khopoli police station limits in Khalapur taluka in Raigad district, reported PTI quoting a police official.

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“The driver of the container trailer truck lost control of the vehicle after brake failure. It hit at least 20 vehicles, including luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes, resulting in serious injuries to 19 persons,” he said.

The official said one woman was killed in the accident and the injured were taken to a private hospital in Navi Mumbai.

"The driver was taken into custody by Khopoli police. However, a medical examination has shown he was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. A case has been registered and further probe is underway," he added.

Among the injured were passengers in cars and taxis hit by the truck. A 35-year-old man from Mumbai died on the spot. At least 5 of the 16 injured are serious and have been shifted to nearby hospitals.

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“No passenger in the bus was seriously injured,” the police added.

Videos on social media showed damaged cars on the road, some with their roofs crushed. Passersby and other motorists were helping the injured out of vehicles.

“We heard a loud crashing sound and then saw people running. The truck just didn’t stop,” an eyewitness told a local news channel.

The truck driver has been arrested. Medical examination revealed he was not drunk at the time of the accident.

Case filed and investigation on.

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