5, including NMMC vet dead in E-way accident

5 others injured after five vehicles pile-up on Mum-Pune Expressway near Khopoli

Five people died and at least five others were injured after five vehicles piled-up on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli in Raigad district in the early hours of Tuesday. The accident took place around 12.45 am, the police said. Veterinary medical officer of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) was among the deceased.

Dr Vaibhav Jhunjhare, along with his family was coming to Navi Mumbai from Solapur in his car when the accident occurred. His mother Usha Jhunjhare, 63, wife Vaishali Jhunjhare, 38 and daughter Shriya, 5 also died in the accident. However, his 11-yearold son Arnab suffered injuries in the accident and he has been admitted in a hospital at Panvel. The family resided at civic official quarter in sector 15 at Nerul.

The others who received injuries are Swapnil Kamble, 30, a resident of Goregaon (w), Prakash Nahar, 65, a resident of Goregaon (w), Kishan Chaudhary and Kaluram Jat.

The police said that Dr Jhunjhare had gone to his native place to bring back his family. They were returning to Navi Mumbai in their car, when they met with the accident. According to his colleagues from NMMC, Dr Jhunjare had shifted his family to native place during the pandemic as he was on Covid duty. The NMMC administration has expressed grief and condolences to his family.

“The exact reason behind the accident has not been understood yet. There was a trailer, a truck, and three cars in the pile-up. Four people died on the spot, while one later died in a hospital. Those who suffered injuries were rushed to a hospital near Panvel,” said a police officer.