Pune: Couple Killed, Six Family Members Injured as Container Truck Falls on Car in Khandala Ghat
Lonavala, 22nd May 2024: A 55-year-old man and his wife lost their lives, and six family members, including four children, were injured when a Mumbai-bound container truck overturned and fell onto their car at Khandala Ghat on the Pune-Mumbai highway late Monday night.
The family, returning to Talegaon Dabhade from Alibag in Raigad district, encountered the tragic accident about 85km from Pune, according to Lonavla city police. The driver of the container truck fled the scene immediately after the accident.
The deceased were identified as Dattatreya Chaudhari (55) and his wife Kavita (46), both from Jalgaon. The injured include their daughter Bhumika (16), son Mitansh (9), and relatives Yogesh Chaudhari (40), his wife Janhavi (31), and their daughters Dipanksha (9) and Jidnyasa (1.5), all from Rao Colony in Talegaon Dabhade.
Assistant Inspector Rahul Lad of the Lonavla police confirmed, “The injured have been admitted to a private hospital in Pune and are recuperating.”
The Chaudhari family had traveled to Ambernath in Thane district for a family function and then proceeded to Alibag for an outing. On their return journey to Talegaon Dabhade, they reached the Khandala Ghat section around 10:30 PM when the container truck, coming from the opposite direction, overturned on a steep descent and sharp turn.
“The container truck, loaded with goods, fell onto the car, killing the couple instantly,” Lad stated.
The car was crushed under the container, necessitating the use of a crane by police and rescue teams to lift the container and extricate the trapped passengers.
“The injured were initially taken to a nearby hospital and later transferred to Pune. The driver of the container truck has been charged with causing death by negligence. We have also located the owner of the vehicle and summoned him to the police station,” Lad added.
