A major road accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman and left 21 others injured when a trailer truck lost control after a brake failure and rammed nearly 25 vehicles on Saturday evening.
The incident occurred on the Mumbai-bound lane, just past the Khopoli exit near a toll booth, causing a 3-kilometer-long pile-up. The deceased has been identified as Anita Ekhande from Osmanabad.
Rescue and Medical Response
The injured, including the wife of a Bombay High Court judge, were initially treated at Khopoli Municipal Hospital before being shifted to MGM Hospital in Kamothe for specialized care.
Rescue teams from the India Reserve Battalion, highway police, Devdoot, and volunteers from Help Foundation cleared the expressway within 45 minutes, moving the wrecked vehicles to the side.
Official Statement
“The driver of the trailer truck lost control after the brakes failed and crashed into multiple vehicles, including luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes,” an official said. A case has been registered, and the driver has been taken into custody. Medical tests confirmed that he was not under the influence of alcohol.
Past Incidents on Expressway
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, one of India’s busiest highways, has witnessed frequent accidents due to brake failures, reckless driving, and over-speeding. Authorities have been urged to enforce stricter vehicle maintenance checks for heavy trucks.
