Truck Crash Kills Driver, Injures Six on Pune-Mumbai Highway Near Katraj Tunnel
A tragic road accident on the Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass near Pune resulted in the death of a truck driver and injuries to six passengers on a private bus early Tuesday morning. The collision occurred around 4 am near the new Katraj tunnel viaduct, causing significant traffic disruption for nearly an hour as emergency services responded to the scene.
Details of the Fatal Collision
According to police reports, a heavy truck carrying iron angles crashed into the rear of a private bus from Satara that was heading towards Mumbai. The impact was severe, with the iron angles piercing the bus and shattering all its window panes. Following the collision, the bus veered off the road and struck the median, adding to the chaos on the highway.
The deceased truck driver has been identified as Sayyed Abbas Hussain (40), a resident of Belagavi in Karnataka. Police suspect that Hussain might have lost control of the vehicle on the steep downhill stretch from the New Katraj Tunnel towards Navale Bridge, leading to the crash with the slow-moving bus. Both vehicles were traveling from Satara to Mumbai at the time of the incident.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Senior Inspector Sharad Zine of the Ambegaon police confirmed that the truck had been loaded near Bengaluru prior to the accident. Upon arrival, the Ambegaon police, along with officials from the National Highways Authority of India, worked swiftly to clear the damaged vehicles to the service lane. This action was crucial in restoring vehicular movement on the busy stretch, which had been severely disrupted.
"Our team rushed the injured truck driver and bus passengers to a private hospital in Narhe," Zine stated. "The bus passengers received primary treatment and were discharged in the morning. However, the truck driver was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital." The injured passengers were admitted for medical care, highlighting the severity of the impact.
Traffic and Safety Concerns
The accident underscores ongoing safety concerns on this critical highway corridor. The steep gradient near the New Katraj Tunnel has been noted as a potential hazard, especially for heavy vehicles like trucks. Authorities are likely to review safety measures in the area to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with highway travel, particularly during early morning hours when visibility and driver fatigue can contribute to accidents. The quick response by police and highway officials helped mitigate further disruptions, but the loss of life and injuries have left a lasting impact on the victims' families and the local community.
