Woman Follows Google Map, Drives Car Into Creek
Navi Mumbai, 26th July 2025: A late-night drive took a dangerous turn for a 29-year-old woman when her luxury car accidentally plunged into the Belapur creek around 1 AM on Friday. Fortunately, quick action by coastal security personnel stationed at the jetty helped avert a tragedy.
The woman, identified as Shweta Sharma, a resident of Kharghar, was en route to visit a friend in Ulwe when she lost her way in the rain and darkness. Instead of taking the bridge across Belapur creek, she inadvertently turned onto a service road that led to a dead-end at the jetty, authorities said.
“Visibility was poor due to heavy rain, and it was completely dark when she took a wrong left turn near the NMMC headquarters,” explained Senior Inspector Santosh Kane of the Coastal Security Police. “She drove under the bridge instead of getting onto it.”
Officers posted near the jetty noticed her vehicle approaching the restricted zone and tried to wave her down, but it was too late.
“Before she could respond, the car plunged roughly 10 feet into the creek,” said Kane. “Luckily, the vehicle door opened, and within two minutes, she emerged from the car, trying to stay afloat in the high tide.”
The Indian Rescue Team of Atal Setu stationed nearby swiftly reached her with a rescue boat and pulled her to safety. She did not suffer any physical injuries but was visibly shaken by the incident, police said.
She was later taken to the NRI Coastal Police Station, where her statement was recorded.
“In her initial statement, she didn’t mention using navigation apps,” said Senior Inspector Sandesh Revale of CBD-Belapur Police Station. “However, later, she admitted to the rescue team that she had been following directions on Google Maps.”
According to Assistant Police Inspector Narayan Palampalle, Sharma told officers she had relied on GPS, which led her under the bridge rather than over it. “She was confused by the route shown on the map,” he said.
Police used a hydraulic crane to retrieve the car from the creek. No formal charges have been filed, and authorities are treating the incident as an accident due to misnavigation in adverse weather conditions.
