A 37-year-old taxi driver had to be extricated from his smashed vehicle with the help of a crane after a truck laden with vegetables toppled onto his cab at Mahim on Thursday morning.
“Liyakat Ali Khan was on his way from Dadar to Mahim when a truck from the opposite direction slammed into his vehicle and landed on top of it, crushing the hood and trapping Khan inside,” said Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Khisare.
The fire brigade had to be called in to rescue him.
Truck driver Shankarlal Yadav (25) was travelling from Vashi to the Dadar market.
It was early in the morning and Yadav was speeding on the open roads. At Senapati Bapat Marg, a vehicle brushed past the truck.
“Yadav could not control his vehicle and it skidded along the divider, got thrown to the opposite side of the road and landed on the taxi coming from the opposite direction, which was also speeding,” said Khisare.
Yadav had swerved to avoid the taxi, but because he was going so fast, the truck toppled, crushing the hood of the taxi.
{{/usCountry}}Yadav had swerved to avoid the taxi, but because he was going so fast, the truck toppled, crushing the hood of the taxi.
{{/usCountry}}Khan, who could not get out of the mangled vehicle, began shouting for help.
“He could not even move. He was so scared that he was sitting in the corner with his eyes closed and praying constantly. The truck was very heavy and it was impossible to lift or even move it,” said Khisare.
Three fire tenders and a crane were rushed to the spot.
The crane lifted the truck and cut open the taxi.
The officers then cautiously rescued Khan. “Khan received minor injuries. We have arrested Yadav on charges of negligence and speeding,” Khisare said.