Melghat tourists escape unhurt as Gypsy crashes into roadside drain

Nagpur: Rash driving by Gypsy drivers in wildlife parks is proving dangerous for tourists. A family from Amravati had a miraculous escape after rash driving led to their vehicle crashing into a roadside drain in Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR).
Shrikant Warhekar said, “We (2 families) had booked a safari for Rs 7,000 from Chikhaldara to Vairat on November 5. We were 12 including three kids and had boarded two separate Gypsys. As there were kids in my vehicle I asked driver Shoeb to drive slowly.”
However, the driver drove the vehicle at @55kmph. At a blind turn, a pickup van coming from behind overtook the Gypsy and at the same time, a car approached from the opposite direction.
“As our driver was driving at speed, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the drain. Fortunately, all of were safe. The guide Prakash Tayde suffered internal injuries. Another vehicle was called and we completed the safari,” said Warhekar.
Warhekar said, “These vehicle drivers and owners must face action. On June 12, 2022, I had a bad experience during a safari in Melghat as the vehicle ran out of diesel and 55 minutes were lost till the driver called another vehicle to bring petrol. These vehicle owners are giving a bad name to the park and strict action should be taken.”
On October 4, 2022, a heavily drunk Gypsy driver from Tadoba buffer knocked dead a 19-year-old girl and was seriously injured in a hit-and-run near Sirkada.