Special Correspondent
Saputara (Gujarat): A horrific accident occurred on the Nashik-Gujarat highway near Saputara Hill Station early Friday morning when a private bus carrying 48 passengers veered off the road and plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge, killing seven people and leaving 15 others critically injured. The impact of the crash was so severe that the bus split into two pieces.
According to Police Superintendent S.G. Patil, the accident took place around 4:15 AM after the driver lost control of the vehicle near Saputara Hill Station. The bus reportedly crashed through roadside barricades before tumbling into the gorge.
The bus was en route from Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, to Dwarka in Gujarat, carrying pilgrims from the Gunna, Shivpuri, and Ashok Nagar districts of Madhya Pradesh. Authorities confirmed that rescue operations were launched immediately, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Superintendent Patil stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, though preliminary reports suggest mechanical failure or driver error as potential factors. The incident has raised concerns about road safety measures on the hilly terrain near Saputara, a popular tourist destination.
Local officials and disaster response teams are assisting with the aftermath, while families of the deceased and injured are being notified.
