On way back home after visit to Pune, Latur couple, son die in highway accident

The deceased have been identified as Arun Mane (45), his wife Geeta (40) and son Mukund (15). Their daughter Sakshi (18) and the driver of their SUV Mahadev Netke (56) were critically injured in the accident. The accident took place on the Pune-Solapur corridor of the highway when the family was on its back to Latur after a visit to Pune.

Assistant Inspector Jeevan Mane, in-charge of Bhigwan police station said, “As per the observations of some police personnel on patrol, made some time prior to the accident, the SUV was going at a high speed, possibly exceeding 120 km per hour. Near Dalaj, it rammed into a tractor trolly which was carrying sugarcane to a nearby sugar mill. Half of the SUV was completely damaged. The mother and son were killed on the spot. The father, daughter and driver were rushed to a hospital, where the father succumbed to injuries.”

Police officials said Mane ran a business in Latur district. The family had come to Pune to do some shopping for an upcoming occasion in the family and was on its way back to Latur.

Assistant Inspector Mane added, “The daughter and driver have multiple serious injuries, including those on the head. They are in serious condition, but currently stable. The driver of the Fortuner, in his statement, has said he could not spot the trolley because it did not have reflectors. The tractor-trolley driver owner has claimed otherwise. Because the rear part of the trolley is badly damaged, we are yet to ascertain whether it had reflectors. Our probe is on. Accordingly, an offence will be registered.”

Police said a crane had to be used to separate the damaged SUV from the tractor-trolley. The injured and deceased were taken out from the car by the police with the help of some local residents.

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