Mumbai: A major accident occurred at the Toll Plaza in Bandra on Worli Sea Link, on Thursday around 10 pm. Three people were reportedly killed in the tragedy that was caused due to pile-up of multiple vehicles. Six people were left injured in the horiffic crash.
The trio was identified as Khatija Suleman Hatia, 91, a non-resident Indian who lived in Canada, her daughter Hava Hiragori Hanif Peer, 55, and son-in-law Hanif Peer, 60. Six others, including the offending driver, Sarfaraz Mohd Yusuf Shaikh, 50, suffered injuries. Currently, he and three other relatives of the deceased are undergoing treatment at Bhabha Hospital.
Krishnakant Upadhyay, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) - Zone 9, said the Innova first hit a Mercedes Benz car about 100 metres before the toll booth, which is at the Bandra end of the sea link, on the north-bound lane.
"The driver of the Innova tried to escape from the spot and sped away. As the vehicle reached the toll booth, it rammed into many cars, leaving nine people injured. Later, three of them were declared dead," the DCP said.
As cars came to a halt at the toll plaza to make payments, another car approached at high speed, resulting in a collision. The Bandra police swiftly responded, reprimanding five ambulances.
Details On The Accident
Meanwhile, the police are yet to ascertain if Shaikh was driving under the influence of alcohol or not. An FIR has been registered against him under the Indian Penal Code sections 304[2] (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 279 (rash driving), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 427(whoever commits mischief and thereby causes loss or damage to the amount of fifty rupees or upwards) as well as Motor Vehicles Act provision 184 (dangerous driving), said a police officer.
The fatal mishap took place when Shaikh was speeding in an Innova car and it dashed against the railing. Apparently, he swerved so as not to fall into the sea and hit a Mercedes which was about 100 metres away from the toll booth. Instead of stopping, he accelerated and rammed into vehicles waiting in the queue at the booth. Police are speculating that Shaikh might have lost control over the vehicle due to fatigue. He suffered minor injuries and his car has been confiscated, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishnakant Upadhyay.
The deceased were accompanied by Asin Suleman Sadar, 71, Hajra Ahmed Sadar ,45, and Maimuna Yaqoob Sadar, 45. The family had gone to Mahabaleshwar and were on their way to Surat when the accident took place.
