A devastating collision between a private luxury bus and a truck on the Samruddhi Expressway resulted in a fatal fire, claiming one life and leaving several others injured in the early hours of Thursday. The incident occurred near the Maliwada toll plaza in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, sending shockwaves through the passengers and crew on board.
Details of the Tragic Samruddhi Expressway Accident
The accident took place at around 3 am on the Mumbai-bound carriageway, approximately 15 kilometers ahead of the Maliwada toll naka. According to fire brigade officials, the bus was carrying 32 people, which included 29 passengers, 2 drivers, and a conductor. The vehicle was en route to Mumbai when the collision with the truck triggered a massive fire.
The force of the impact caused the bus to catch flames instantly, leading to panic among everyone on board. Despite the chaos, most passengers managed to escape with minor injuries. Tragically, one person could not survive. The deceased was identified as Amol Shelkar, aged 38, a resident of Khamgaon in Buldhana district. Officials confirmed that all other injured individuals are now out of danger.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Following an emergency call, fire tenders from the Padampura fire station in the city rushed to the spot. They were assisted by police personnel and additional firefighting teams from the Kanchanwadi fire station. The combined efforts were led by Chief Fire Officer Ashok N Khandekar, whose teams worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control and eventually extinguish it completely.
The intensity of the fire was such that the luxury bus was completely gutted. The scene near the toll plaza was one of severe damage, highlighting the ferocity of the collision and subsequent flames.
Investigation and Ongoing Proceedings
A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway. Authorities from both the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police and the highway traffic police are involved in piecing together the events that led to this tragic incident on one of Maharashtra's key expressways.
This accident on the Samruddhi Expressway raises serious concerns about road safety, especially during night travel. It serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of collisions involving heavy vehicles.
