Horrific Accident on Pune-Nashik Highway Near Narayangaon Involving Multi-Vehicle Collision Claims 9 Lives
Narayangaon, Pune: In a heart-wrenching accident on the Pune-Nashik Highway near Narayangaon, nine lives were tragically lost, and seven others were severely injured on Friday morning. The devastating incident occurred around 9:45 AM near Muktai Dhaba and involved a Maximo van, a small carrier truck (tempo), and a stationary State Transport (ST) bus.
Sequence of Events
The Maximo van, carrying 16 passengers from Alephata to Narayangaon, was struck from behind by a speeding Eicher tempo. The collision’s impact pushed the van into a stationary ST bus parked roadside due to brake failure. The van was crushed from both ends, exacerbating the severity of the crash.
Junnar, Maharashtra: Nine people died in a collision between a mini van and a stationary bus near Narayangaon on the Pune-Nashik Highway. The incident occurred around 10 am on Friday pic.twitter.com/7TbkXzbnaL
— IANS (@ians_india) January 17, 2025
Casualties and Injuries
Among the nine deceased were four women, four men, and one child. Tragically, one of the victims, Yuvraj Mahadev Wawhal (23), was preparing for competitive exams. The deceased have been identified as:
- Debubai Damu Takalkar (65) – Vaishakhkhede, Junnar, Pune
- Vinod Kerubhau Rokde (50) – Driver, Kandali, Junnar, Pune
- Yuvraj Mahadev Wawhal (23) – Kandali, Junnar, Pune
- Chandrakant Karbhari Gunjal (57) – Kandali, Junnar, Pune
- Geeta Baburao Gaware (45) – Kandali, Junnar, Pune
- Bhau Rabhaji Badhe (65) – Nagadwadi-Kandali, Junnar, Pune
- Najma Ahmed Hanif Shaikh (35) – Rajgurunagar, Khed
- Washifa Wasim Inamdar (5) – Rajgurunagar, Khed
- Manisha Nanasaheb Pacharne (56) – Kandali, Junnar, Pune
The injured, including Rutuja Pawar (21), Ganpat Bajaba Ghadge (52), and Shubham Santosh Ghadge (24), were rushed to nearby hospitals. Six victims are being treated in Narayangaon, while one critically injured individual was transferred to Pune for advanced care.
Eyewitness and Police Report
Eyewitness accounts reveal the sheer force of the double collision, with the van crushed between the tempo and the bus. Pankaj Deshmukh, SP Pune (Rural), confirmed the accident and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The Narayangaon Police are investigating further to determine culpability and prevent such incidents in the future.
VIDEO | "Nine people were travelling towards Narayangaon in a mini van. A tempo truck hit the mini van from behind and after that the mini van went on to collide with a stationary empty bus. Total nine people were killed on the spot in the accident," said Pankaj Deshmukh, SP Pune… pic.twitter.com/gQGRuuPkMG
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 17, 2025
CM Devendra Fadnavis Offers Condolences and Announces Assistance
Reacting to the tragic accident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the loss of nine lives. In a statement, he said, “The tragic incident of the death of nine workers in a horrific accident near Narayangaon on the Pune-Nashik highway is very unfortunate. I pay my heartfelt tributes to them. We share the grief of their families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Additionally, he directed the Pune Superintendent of Police to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
A Stark Reminder
This tragic accident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of road safety and adherence to speed regulations. The loss of nine lives has left the local community in mourning, emphasizing the need for stricter measures to avoid such devastating accidents.
