25 Injured, 7 Critical in Three-Vehicle Collision Near Kasara on Mumbai-Nashik Highway

In a devastating road accident that shook commuters and villagers alike, 25 people were injured — seven critically — in a three-vehicle pile-up on the Mumbai-Nashik highway near Kasara on Friday evening. The collision occurred near Ohalachiwadi village, under the jurisdiction of Kasara police, and involved a truck, a pickup van, and a car.

Sequence of the Crash

According to initial reports by Kasara police, the incident unfolded when a pickup van carrying villagers returning from post-funeral rites in Dolkhamb to their hometown of Taked rammed into a slow-moving truck ahead. The van driver allegedly misjudged the truck’s speed and failed to maintain a safe distance, leading to the rear-end collision.

Moments later, a car following the van crashed into it, resulting in a chain-reaction pile-up. The impact left the pickup van severely damaged and most of its passengers injured.
 

Rescue Efforts and Emergency Response

The accident triggered an immediate emergency response. Members of the local disaster management team, including Bhaskar Sadgir, Datta Watade, Shyam Dhumal, Akshay Ladke, Satish Khare, and Sunil Karwar, rushed to the scene and played a crucial role in evacuating the injured. Victims were transported to the Kasara Primary Health Centre (PHC) using ambulances, private cars, and vehicles provided by the highway toll operator.

Dr Ashu Shukla, medical officer at Kasara PHC, confirmed that seven individuals suffered life-threatening injuries. “We acted immediately to stabilize the critical cases and ensured their safe transfer to SMBT Hospital in Igatpuri. The golden hour was critical, and I’m proud of the team’s quick coordination,” he stated.

 

Victim Testimonies: “Chaos and Fear Everywhere”
 

Several passengers shared their harrowing experiences from the accident. Sangita Dumbre, 45, who fractured her arm, described the scene as “complete chaos.” “There were screams everywhere. I couldn’t move my leg at first. We were just returning from a religious ritual... I never imagined something like this would happen,” she recounted from her hospital bed.

Nitin Bhoir, 30, who suffered minor head injuries, said he was thrown forward by the impact. “It all happened so fast. One minute we were talking, the next — crash. I still feel dizzy, but I’m lucky to be alive.”

Fortunately, passengers in the car were protected by airbags and escaped with minor injuries, officials said. The truck driver was also treated for superficial wounds and later discharged.

 

Legal Action and Investigation

The Kasara police have booked the van driver for negligent driving under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS). Inspector Suresh Gavit, who is leading the investigation, stated, “Preliminary evidence shows the van driver failed to judge the truck’s speed and did not maintain proper braking distance. We have registered a case and are probing further to determine all contributing factors.”

Authorities are also examining road visibility, lighting conditions, and the structural condition of the highway stretch where the crash occurred.
 

Road Safety Concerns Renewed

This incident has once again spotlighted the growing number of accidents on the Mumbai-Nashik highway, especially in hilly stretches like Kasara. Locals have long complained about poor visibility, inadequate signage, and lack of speed monitoring in accident-prone areas.

While the pickup van was carrying passengers for a cultural and religious purpose, the lack of seatbelts and overloading are also being looked into. Authorities may initiate broader checks on commercial passenger vehicles traveling on state highways.

The Road Ahead

As the injured recover, the Maharashtra transport and police departments are expected to reassess safety protocols on one of the state’s busiest highways. For the families involved, this journey back from a solemn ceremony has turned into a painful memory.

With seven critical victims still under intensive care, and legal action underway, the coming days will determine accountability and possibly initiate much-needed highway safety reforms.