Biker killed, pillion rider injured in collision on Mumbai-Goa highway

NAVI MUMBAI: A man died and another injured after the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a tempo on the Mumbai-Goa highway on Thursday.

According to the police, Balaram Bhagat, 25, and Kishan Balla, 18, both residents of Ransai village, were going to Panvel city around 7.30am when the accident took place.

As they were crossing the stretch of the highway near Karnala fort, a tempo which was moving in the opposite direction hit their bike.

“Both Bhagat and Balla suffered severe injuries. They were rushed to a nearby hospital by passers-by, but Bhagat died after some time during treatment,” said Sachin Pawar, police sub-inspector from New Panvel police station.

Balla is still recuperating in the hospital. He is now reportedly out of danger.

The tempo that hit the victims’ bike fled the spot immediately after the accident.

“No one saw the registration number of the tempo. There were also no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed anywhere in the area. We are now searching for the driver, and hope to arrest him soon,” Pawar said.

The police have registered a case under sections 279 and 304a of the Indian Penal Code and sections 184 and 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act against the driver of the Tempo.

Bhagat’s body was sent to Panvel rural hospital for post mortem, and then it was handed over to his family. The police are yet to get the post-mortem report.

No one saw the registration number of the tempo. There were also no CCTV cameras installed anywhere in the area. We are now searching for the tempo driver, and hope to arrest him soon. SACHIN PAWAR, sub-inspector, New Panvel police