Pathardi-Mumbai Bus Crashes into Divider, Injuring 22 Passengers

Wagholi, June 2 – A Pathardi-Mumbai bus crashed into a divider near the Perne Phata toll booth on the Pune-Nagar highway, injuring approximately 22 passengers. The incident occurred around 1:00 AM on Saturday.

Details of the Incident

The accident happened when the bus, attempting to avoid a collision with a truck that suddenly braked, veered into the divider. The bus had stopped at Supa for lunch after leaving Nagar and was en route to Pune. At the time of the crash, many passengers were asleep, causing them to be jolted by the impact. Some were thrown against the front seats, while others became trapped.

Emergency responders, including the Lonikand police and traffic department staff, quickly arrived at the scene. Ambulances were called to transport the injured to private hospitals in Wagholi, Hadapsar, and Mumbai. Passengers trapped under the seats were rescued and sent for medical treatment. In total, 14 passengers, including the driver, are currently undergoing treatment. The driver sustained serious injuries and is being treated in Mumbai.

Five to seven passengers suffered minor injuries and were discharged after receiving treatment. However, 11 passengers are receiving care in a private hospital in Wagholi, one in Hadapsar, and the driver in Mumbai. Among the injured are six members of the same family from Pathardi, including Sandeep Gyanoba Sanap, his wife, children, and sister-in-law, who are all being treated in Wagholi.

Relatives of the injured traveled from Mumbai to Wagholi on a two-wheeler to be with their loved ones. One of the injured, an elderly woman from the Ghodke family, sustained a leg fracture in the accident.

Relatives of the injured passengers expressed concerns about the condition of the buses operated by the ST Corporation. They criticized the deployment of poorly maintained buses on long-distance routes, citing it as a cause of such accidents. They urged the authorities to ensure only well-maintained buses are used for long-distance travel.

Following the incident, ST department officers and staff arrived at the scene and hospitals to assist the injured passengers. The bus was later moved to the side with the help of a crane to restore traffic flow.

The accident underscores the importance of vehicle maintenance and road safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.