Baby Chakraborty | KalimNews | June 19, 2025 | Pune, Maharashtra : A devastating road accident in Pune, Maharashtra claimed nine lives, including that of a six-year-old child, after a speeding car lost control and rammed into a group of people outside a roadside eatery. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, June 18, at approximately 6:45 pm, on the Jejuri-Morgaon road in the Pune district during a spell of heavy rainfall.
According to local police and national media reports, the accident happened outside a dhaba where a pick-up vehicle had parked. The owner of the eatery and several workers were unloading a refrigerator from the vehicle when a Swift Dzire, reportedly carrying six occupants and moving at a dangerously high speed, veered off the road and smashed into the scene.
The force of the impact crushed nine people, including five who were on the ground assisting with the unloading operation and four from inside the car. Among the dead were the hotel owner, the pick-up driver, three workers helping him, a child, and a woman traveling in the car. Three more individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to a local hospital in Jejuri. One of the injured later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to nine. Two others, including a woman and her daughter from the car, are still receiving treatment.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Tanaji Barade confirmed that the deceased included those working at the hotel and passengers of the ill-fated car. He stated that the vehicle had suddenly lost control in the rain and struck the parked pick-up and the group standing nearby. Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill added that a full investigation is underway to determine whether reckless driving or mechanical failure led to the accident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the car appeared to skid before it ploughed into the victims, adding that the area was experiencing a torrential downpour at the time. Locals rushed to the site upon hearing the loud crash and immediately informed the police. Emergency responders arrived quickly and carried out rescue operations, pulling victims from under the wreckage and transporting them to the hospital.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, and officials have urged motorists to exercise caution while driving during monsoon conditions. Police continue to examine surveillance footage and conduct technical assessments of the vehicle as part of the ongoing probe.
