Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), May 19 (UNI) A car carrying seven people plunged nearly 100 feet from a bridge into the Jagbudi river on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Bharne Naka in Ratnagiri district early Monday morning, killing five people.
The victims were travelling from Mira Road in Mumbai to Devrukh to attend a funeral when the tragedy struck around 5:30 am. According to reports, the vehicle veered off the bridge near Khed and fell into the river. Five passengers died on the spot, while two others, including the driver, sustained serious injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Medha Parmesh Paradkar, Saurabh Parmesh Paradkar, Mitali Vivek More, Nihar Vivek More and Shreyas Rajendra Sawant. The victims belonged to two families — the Paradkars, residents of Nalasopara, and the Mores, from Mira-Bhayander.
Visuals from the site showed the mangled remains of the car being pulled from the river using a crane. The roof of the vehicle was completely crushed. Local residents, police personnel, and the highway police rushed to the site upon receiving information.
The injured — Parmesh Paradkar and Vivek More — were initially taken to a hospital in Kalambani. Paradkar was later shifted to Ratnagiri District Government Hospital, while More was also moved to another facility for advanced treatment. Their condition is reported to be critical.
Rescue efforts were supported by locals and officials, including former Khed mayor Vaibhav Khedekar. All the occupants were pulled out of the submerged vehicle before it was lifted from the riverbed.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
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