Pune: A woman was killed and four persons, including three school children, were injured on Wednesday morning when a container truck being driven speedily, in an attempt to save a school bus from hitting, veered onto the service road on Pune-Mumbai Highway.
The accident took place at the bus stop in front of Matoshree Hospital. A school bus, a car, two motorcycles and two stalls were badly damaged. The container driver has been detained.
The deceased has been identified as Lata Ranjit Jadhav (40), a resident of Vadgaon Maval. The injured have been identified as Sandip Zalte (40), Srushti Bhatekar (15), Maitreya Bhavar (11) and Mrunal Bhavar (14), all residents of Vadgaon Maval. They have been admitted to various private hospitals.
According to the police, some people were waiting for a bus at the bus stop at around 8.15 am on Wednesday. A school bus was halting in front of the bus stop. A container truck heading towards Pune tried to save the bus and veered onto the service road. It hit a car, two motorbikes and a stall.
The woman at the bus stop was crushed to death on the spot. Three school kids and the man were injured. The woman’s body was removed after a crane was pressed into service. Traffic on the highway was disrupted for some time after the accident. It was streamlined after the container was removed on the side with the help of the crane.
Meanwhile, the crossroad has become a black spot and many accidents, involving pedestrians crossing the road, took place in the past. Local residents demanded that the MSRDC and IRB should take steps for commuters’ safety immediately.
