Fatal Accident on Surat-Kolkata Highway
A tragic road accident occurred on Wednesday morning near Varad village in Dharangaon taluka of Jalgaon district, claiming three lives and leaving six others injured. The incident took place around 10 am on the Surat-Kolkata highway when a multi-utility vehicle (MUV) collided with a stationary LPG tanker parked on the roadside.
Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as Puja Waghalkar, a 22-year-old newlywed woman from Akola who got married on April 26, Dattu Bhagwat, and Jagdish Wakadkar. Six other passengers, including a woman and a minor boy, sustained moderate to minor injuries and have been admitted to the district civil hospital in Jalgaon for treatment.
Driver Fatigue Suspected
According to Inspector Sunil Pawar of the Dharangaon police station, the MUV had started its journey from Wapi in Gujarat around midnight and was heading towards Akola. The driver likely dozed off due to continuous travel, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into the LPG tanker that was halted on the roadside near Varad village.
Puja had recently moved to her husband's home in Wapi after her wedding. As part of post-wedding customs, her family members had travelled to Wapi on Tuesday to bring her back to her parental home in Akola. The accident occurred during the return journey.
Details of the Crash
The police reported that there were 13 people, including the driver, travelling in the MUV. Those seated on the left side of the vehicle suffered severe injuries. Dial 108 ambulances rushed the victims to the hospital, where three were declared brought dead upon arrival.
The Dharangaon police are registering a case, and preliminary investigations point to driver fatigue as the cause of the accident. Authorities have urged drivers to take adequate rest during long journeys to prevent such mishaps.
