In one of the most horrific accidents on Samruddhi Express-way in recent times, seven members of a Durga Utsav Mandal were killed and 20 others sustained serious injured after a speeding truck hit a Tata Ace pickup vehicle near Talni village in Dhama-ngaon Railway tehsil. The accident took place near Gate No. 97/300 on the Samruddhi Expressway around 1 am on Friday. According to information, the Tata Ace (MH-05/BH-5793) tide with the trolley was carrying the idol of Goddess Durga and was heading towards Wardha from Shegaon via Samruddhi Expressway. When they reached near Gate Number 97/300 on, it was hit from behind by the truck (CG-07/CJ-8855). The strong impact of collision resulted in the death of seven persons and injuries to 20 others.

 

The accident sparked panic in the area, while the cries of the injured at the spot added to the grim atmosphere. The deceased have been identified as Datta Kursange (55), Pravin Bakane (50), Ghanshyam Patil (60), Golu alias Sachin Badalmwar (38), Om Gawande (22), Roshan Raut (26) and Muneshwar Dhole. All the deceased were reportedly residents of Somnath Layout, Sindhi Meghe, Wardha. Among those reported to have sustained serious injuries are Dinesh Ramkrishna Pohanakar (35), Narendra Pralhad Sanyam (49), Muneshwar Deorao Dhole (53), Sagar Muneshwar Dhole (27), Satish Vasant Raut (43), Satish Pandurang Khade (35), Anil Marotrao Masram (47), Dinesh Pandurang Nanawate (40), Nayan Sudhir Khanjode, Ravi Malkapure (30) and Amit Anil Ade (25). Condition of five injured persons is said to be critical. Those reported to have suffered minor injuries include Pratik Ramdas Shirsakar (31), Anuj Anil Ade (23), Durgesh Yashwant Bhisen (30), Aryan Prabhakar Vaidya (19), Shubham Shamsundar Dhabale (30) and Pranay Prabhakar Dhole (33). Some of the injured persons were initially shifted to the Rural Hospital at Dhamangaon Railway, while those requiring further treatment were reportedly referred to hospitals at Sawangi Meghe and Sevagram where they are undergoing treatment.

 

Soon after receiving information about the accident, Archana Adsad Rode, Dhamangaon Railway Civic Chief, rushed to the Rural Hospital and helped arrange vehicles to shift the injured to Sawangi Meghe for further treatment. Dr Mahesh Patil, Special Inspector General of Police, (Amravati Range), Niketan Kadam, Superintendent of Police, and Girish Tathod, Chandur Railway Sub-Divisional Police Officer, visited the accident spot and took stock of the situation. Gajanan Mehtre, Police Inspector from Dattapur Police Station and Atram, Mangrul Dastgir Police Inspector, also reached the spot. Police have initiated further proceedings to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident.

 

 

CHIEF Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the incident deeply unfortunate and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. “We stand with bereaved families in this hour of grief,” he said. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister of Amravati, also expressed grief over the accident. Terming the incident very unfortunate, Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, Guardian Minister of Wardha district, stated that the tragedy that struck the devotees bringing the idol of Goddess Durga is deeply painful and numbing. It is heart-wrenching that 7 devotees lost their lives and around 21 others were injured in this horrific accident. A pall of gloom has descended upon the devotees, who were filled with enthusiasm for the arrival of Goddess Durga, and their families. “I offer my heartfelt condolences to the devotees who lost their lives in this tragedy. I share the grief of their families and pray to Goddess Jagdamba to give them the strength to overcome this immense sorrow. I also sincerely pray for the speedy recovery and good health of all the devotees injured in the accident,” Dr Bhoyar, said.