Five Killed, Six Injured as MUV Crashes Into Abandoned Truck in Thane

Five members of a family were killed and six others injured after their multi-utility vehicle (MUV) crashed into a burnt and abandoned truck near Atgaon village in Shahapur taluka on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Wednesday, officials said.

The family, residents of Jogeshwari in Mumbai and natives of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, was returning from Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district after taking darshan at the famous Lord Shiva temple when the accident occurred.

The MUV was carrying 11 family members when it crashed into the burnt and abandoned truck, killing four occupants on the spot and leaving seven seriously injured. One of the injured later succumbed during treatment, taking the death toll to five, officials said.

Six injured persons are undergoing treatment at local hospitals. Police said Radhika Jaiswal, 30, and Anshika Jaiswal, 7, were shifted to Sion Hospital in Mumbai for advanced treatment. Sunita Jaiswal, 38; Shivam Jaiswal, 14; Satish Jaiswal, 24; and Subhi Jaiswal, 15, are being treated at Shahapur Sub-District Hospital.

Preliminary investigation by the Shahapur police suggests that a sudden brake failure followed by a locked steering wheel caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Officials said the investigation is continuing.

The accident took place near Atgaon village in Shahapur taluka on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway. The victims had travelled from Mumbai to Trimbakeshwar in Nashik for temple darshan before beginning their return journey.

Police have registered a case at Shahapur police station and launched a probe into the accident. Investigators are examining the circumstances leading to the collision and the suspected mechanical failure, officials said.

The incident involved a family of 11 travelling together in the MUV. Four people died at the accident site, while another person died later after being injured in the crash.

The police investigation will determine the circumstances of the accident, including the role of the suspected brake failure and steering lock. Officials said further action will be taken according to the findings of the probe.

The accident occurred on the busy Mumbai-Nashik Highway while the family was returning to Mumbai after their visit to Trimbakeshwar.