Jejuri Warkari Crash: Driver Allegedly Felt Dizzy After Taking Fever Tablets, Preliminary Probe Reveals
Jejuri Warkari Crash: Driver Allegedly Felt Dizzy After Taking Fever Tablets, Preliminary Probe Reveals
Pune, July 13: Three women Warkaris were killed and four others injured in a tragic road accident on the Saswad–Jejuri Road on Monday morning when a truck accompanying the Ashadhi Wari Palkhi procession allegedly struck a group of pilgrims near Belsar Toll Plaza.
The accident occurred at around 8.30 am, approximately 500 metres ahead of the Belsar Toll Plaza towards Jejuri, near Hotel Shipdeep Lodging. At the time of the incident, the Palkhi procession was at Borawake Mala, nearly 12 kilometres behind the accident site.
According to the police, the road had been divided using a central divider as part of the traffic management plan for the Wari. The right carriageway was reserved exclusively for vehicles, while the left side was designated for Warkaris walking with the Palkhi. However, some pilgrims were reportedly walking on or had entered the vehicle lane.
The truck involved in the accident belonged to the Dindi of Ranganath Maharaj Pokharbisikar from Loha in Nanded district and was one of the authorised vehicles accompanying the Palkhi procession. It was travelling towards Jejuri in the designated vehicle lane when it hit seven women Warkaris from a Dindi belonging to Kasbe Digraj in Sangli district.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the 70-year-old truck driver was reportedly unwell and had taken medication for fever and a cold before driving. Police said that while attempting to overtake another vehicle, the driver allegedly swerved the truck to the left, resulting in the collision with the pilgrims.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Nanda Pawar (60), resident of Kavalapur, Miraj taluka, Sangli district.
- Madhavi Rajaram Salgare (55), resident of Malgaon, Miraj taluka, Sangli district.
- Rajshree Shankar Bhosale (55), resident of Kasbe Digraj, Miraj taluka, Sangli district.
The four injured women were rushed to an ICU-equipped hospital in Jejuri, where they are undergoing treatment.
Senior police officials, including the Inspector of Jejuri Police Station, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shilimkar, and the Additional Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, reached the spot immediately after the accident. They supervised the rescue operation, medical assistance for the injured, traffic regulation, preservation of the accident scene and other legal formalities.
Police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Officials said they are examining the driver’s medical condition, his actions leading up to the crash and all other factors that may have contributed to the accident. Appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
