Accident on Pune-Bengaluru Highway: One Dead, 35 Passengers Saved

Satara (Bhuij), August 15 – A tragic accident occurred on the Pune-Bengaluru highway near Bhuij on Wednesday around 6 p.m., resulting in the death of a two-wheeler rider and the destruction of a state transport (ST) bus. Thanks to the swift response of rescue teams, 35 passengers were safely evacuated from the bus before it was engulfed in flames.

The incident happened when a car driver traveling from Pune to Satara abruptly applied the brakes, causing a two-wheeler to crash into the rear of the Trimbakeshwar to Paloos ST bus (MH 40 AQ 6303). The collision triggered a fire that engulfed both the motorcycle and the bus. Unfortunately, the bike’s rider succumbed to injuries on the spot, while the bus was quickly consumed by the flames.

Rescue teams, along with Assistant Police Inspector Ramesh Gurney from Bhuinj Police Station, arrived at the scene and managed to evacuate the passengers. Firefighting units from Kisanveer Factory and Wai Municipal Fire Department responded swiftly, bringing the blaze under control. The traffic on the Satara-bound side of the highway was temporarily halted during the operation.

Authorities are working to identify the deceased rider, whose charred remains were found with the motorcycle. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the burnt motorcycle was a Yamaha registered to Swapnil Sharad Dubal from Wadawali, Karad, Satara District.

The bus fire also destroyed many passengers’ belongings, including important documents belonging to a young woman who had recently joined the police force. She was seen in distress at the scene, lamenting the loss of her bag in the fire.

The accident has raised concerns about highway safety and the need for greater vigilance among drivers to prevent such tragic incidents.