Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, May 14: At least ten devotees travelling from Shelkepada in Murbad, Thane district, were injured after a mini bus carrying them to Jejuri in Pune overturned on the Borghat stretch of the Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-48) on Wednesday morning.

According to police officials, the accident occurred near the Magic Point curve, a location known for frequent mishaps on the ghat section. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle after applying sudden brakes on the steep slope, causing the bus to topple.

The group was on a pilgrimage to the famous Khandoba Temple following a wedding ceremony in the family. Several injured passengers were relatives and family members of the newly married couple.

A total of 17 passengers, along with the driver and a helper, were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Among the injured were a 14-year-old girl and two senior citizens aged 65 and 71. Officials said six men and four women sustained injuries.

As the bus overturned on the sloping stretch, passengers were thrown against one another, worsening the injuries. Rescue teams faced significant difficulty in pulling victims out of the damaged vehicle.

Personnel from the highway safety patrol’s Borghat unit, IRB patrol team, Delta Force, Maharashtra Security Force, local volunteers, and the Lokmanya Hospital rescue team joined the operation along with the Khopoli Police.

The injured were initially taken to Dr Ambedkar Hospital for emergency treatment. Some critically injured passengers were later shifted to MGM Hospital for advanced medical care.

Police inspector Sachin Hire confirmed that the pilgrims were travelling to Jejuri when the incident took place and said further investigation is underway.

Authorities have registered a case against the bus driver, Bharat Ling, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving endangering public safety.