Daijiworld Media Network - Karjat

Karjat, Jul 4: A tragic accident on the Karjat-Kalyan state highway left a man dead and his wife critically injured after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Eicher tempo near Tokre Ambivli area on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased has been identified as Eknath Baban Shende (52), while his wife, Jayshree Eknath Shende, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bhivpuri.

The couple, residents of Bekre Asalpada village near Neral, were on their way to Neral for market shopping when the accident occurred. Around 4 pm, as they rode their motorcycle towards Neral, a speeding Eicher tempo coming from the Karjat side rammed into them from behind.

According to eyewitnesses, the tempo ran over the motorcycle, dragging it beneath the front wheels. The impact was so severe that the couple was thrown onto the road, bleeding profusely. Eknath Shende sustained a fatal head injury, while Jayshree suffered heavy bleeding from the nose and head.

Local citizens, shocked by the intensity of the crash, rushed to help and immediately shifted the injured to Raigad Hospital in Bhivpuri. Doctors declared Eknath Shende dead on arrival. His wife remains under critical observation.

The tempo driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene after the accident, fearing public backlash. Neral police reached the spot shortly after the incident and have launched a manhunt to trace the absconding driver.

The sudden and brutal loss of life has sparked grief and concern in the local community, with many expressing sorrow over the tragic demise of a well-known local resident. Police continue their investigation into the matter.