Khopoli accident: Death toll rises to 12

The death toll in the accident between a container truck and a state transport bus at Khopoli on Friday has risen to 12.

The death toll in the accident between a container truck and a state transport bus at Khopoli on Friday has risen to 12. The police said eight people have been injured in the accident that took place on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

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The police have identified three of the victims - Bhushan More, 20, from Sheel Phata, Suresh Tajane, 45, from Kharghar and Sadhana Chakane, 30, conductor of the bus.

The police said the state transport bus, heading towards Mumbai from Aale Phata at Pune, broke down at Sheel Phata near Khopoli. The bus driver asked the passengers to push it to the side of a road, when a speeding container truck hit it from the rear crushing the passengers, the police said.

The conductor of the bus, was critically injured in the mishap, has been shifted to Sion hospital in Mumbai. The Khopoli police have registered a case against the absconding truck driver. “The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations,” an official said.

Residents of Khopoli and adjoining villages blocked traffic on the expressway on Saturday to protest frequent accidents.
(With agency inputs)