Pune-Mumbai Expressway accident: ‘Terrible… 3 of family gone in a day’

Savita was declared dead at 6.45 pm due to grievous burn injuries and Vaiti, a family friend, was waiting for her husband Kailas Vare to return after cremating their eight-year-old son Kushal and 17-year-old nephew Ritesh Mahadu Koshire at Lonavala.

Pune Mumbai Expressway accident, Expressway accident death toll, Satish Vaiti, Savita Kailas Vare, Sassoon General Hospital, indian express, indian express news

On Tuesday, Savita, her son, and nephew were under the overbridge when the tanker that was engulfed in flames spewed out toxic chemicals. (Express Photo)

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“What do I say? This is terrible… three deaths in the same family in a single day,” said Satish Vaiti, as he stood crying near the bed of Savita Kailas Vare (34) at ward number 8 of Sassoon General Hospital in Pune.

Savita was declared dead at 6.45 pm due to grievous burn injuries and Vaiti, a family friend, was waiting for her husband Kailas Vare to return after cremating their eight-year-old son Kushal and 17-year-old nephew Ritesh Mahadu Koshire at Lonavala.

Vaiti, a Lonavala resident, was in Pune when he got a call from Kailas about the loss of his wife, son, and nephew in the fire following the overturning of a tanker carrying methanol on a bridge on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. “I got a call and rushed to Sassoon hospital, but doctors told us that chances of survival are not that good and just pray,” Vaiti said, adding that the Vares were like his own family.

“They belong to Udhewadi village, which lies at the base of Rajmachi fort (about 16 km from Lonavala) and were used to a life of struggle,” Vaiti said.

#Maharashtra | Four people were killed and three critically injuried after a tanker carrying methanol overturned on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Lonavala.

Read more: https://t.co/MzUPi1AsH6 pic.twitter.com/bblE9daxmh

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) June 14, 2023

According to him, the Vares would cater to the needs of tourists, and Savita was quick to rustle up a meal for them. Udhewadi, he said, is “a small tribal village with 20-22 houses”. “People there face several hardships due to long distances and rugged terrain, while sending their children to school in Lonavala,” he said.

Also Read | 4 dead, 3 critically injured as methanol tanker overturns on Pune-Mumbai Expressway, triggers fire

On Tuesday, Savita, her son, and nephew were under the overbridge when the tanker that was engulfed in flames spewed out toxic chemicals. Kailas, who works with a private construction firm, rushed to the spot from where he had to first take his wife with severe burns to Sassoon hospital.

Sassoon General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Yellappa Jadav said, “Savita was admitted at 3.40 pm, and had suffered 90-95 per cent burns. She passed away at 6.45 pm.”

Another patient injured in the accident was at ward number 9 of the hospital. Ganesh Kolaskar (55), who suffered more than 80 per cent burns in the accident, was on oxygen support. At his bedside was his brother-in-law Nitin Patankar. “I cannot believe this. Our families were together at a wedding a month ago at our native Adavali village in Sindhudurg district,” said Nitin, who is married to Ganesh’s sister Ashwini. According to him, Ganesh stays in Andheri with his wife Pratima and their four children — three girls, and a son.