Tragic Truck Accident in Solapur Claims Four Lives, Leaves Eight Injured
In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, four residents lost their lives while eight others sustained injuries in a horrific road accident in Solapur district. The group, hailing from various parts of the MMR, was on a religious tour covering Solapur, Kolhapur, and Pandharpur when tragedy struck on Monday evening.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The accident occurred in the Mangalwedha area around 7:30 PM when a speeding truck violently rammed into the vehicle carrying the devotees. According to eyewitness accounts, the truck was travelling at an excessively high speed and crashed into the devotees' vehicle with tremendous force. The impact was so severe that the vehicle was dragged nearly 30 feet along the national highway and was completely mangled beyond recognition.
Some passengers were thrown onto the road due to the sheer force of the collision, while others remained trapped inside the crushed vehicle, creating a scene of chaos and panic at the accident site. The group had been returning from their pilgrimage and was heading toward Solapur railway station to begin their journey back home when the tragedy unfolded.
Victims and Their Pilgrimage Journey
The deceased have been identified as Sonam Ahire from Kalyan, Savita Gupta (42) from Dombivli, Yogini Kekane (38) from Dombivli, and 14-year-old Aditya Gupta, a resident of Parel in Mumbai. According to family members, the group had visited multiple religious sites during their tour, offering prayers at the Mahalaxmi Devi and Tulja Bhavani Devi temples before proceeding to Pandharpur to seek blessings from Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini.
Monty, brother of deceased Yogini Kekane, revealed that the group consisted of eight women and four children. The women worked in two neighbouring garment companies in Kalyan and were close friends who frequently travelled together on religious pilgrimages every few months. This particular trip was planned as a three-day excursion since January 26 fell on a Monday, and they were returning the same night when the accident occurred.
Critical Injuries and Rescue Operations
Among the injured, the most critical case is Ved Gupta, the nine-year-old younger brother of deceased Aditya Gupta, who sustained serious injuries after iron parts from the vehicle pierced his abdomen and body. His condition remains critical, while his mother suffered only minor injuries. The driver, Navnath Hidkitti, is also in serious condition.
The other injured individuals include:
- Kavita Tudasakar
- Sonam Gupta
- Rajshree Kadam-Sonawane
- Aarti Gupta
- Ganesh Gupta
- Anjani Yadav
- Rohan (son of deceased Yogini Kekane, with minor injuries)
Residents and the Mangalwedha police rushed to the spot immediately after the accident and initiated rescue operations. The injured were promptly shifted to the Solapur district government hospital for emergency treatment. While six of the injured have stabilized and some have been discharged, several remain under medical care.
Community Response and Political Reactions
As news of the tragedy spread, relatives of the victims rushed to Solapur from various parts of the MMR. Local corporator Sandesh Patil reached the hospital and assisted the grieving families by arranging ambulances to transport the bodies back to Dombivli and Mumbai after completing post-mortem formalities.
A wave of mourning swept through Dombivli as the community learned of the devastating loss. Kalyan rural MLA Rajesh More, who visited the homes of the deceased, termed the incident extremely tragic and assured the bereaved families of all possible assistance from the government and local authorities.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing concerns about road safety on national highways and serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life during what should have been a spiritually uplifting journey for the devotees and their families.
