Three employees of Cummins India were killed and two others critically injured when the car they were travelling in crashed into a culvert wall in Phaltan taluka of Maharashtra's Satara district, police said. The death happened when the fast moving vehicle crashed into the cement wall along a drain.
According to local reports, all five people involved were employees of Cummins India, a US engine and power solutions company that operates in the region. The group was in a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, when the driver lost control of the vehicle, the police said. The car went off the road and crashed head-on into the culvert wall with tremendous force.
The impact was so severe that the vehicle was virtually completely mangled. Three people died at the scene and two of them, however, suffered serious injuries and were sent to the hospital for treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Hussain, a resident of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, and Anil Hembram and Sadanand Murmu, both from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, according to reports. Injured employees Saurabh Kumar of Jharkhand and M.D. Sitare of Bihar were among the two who were identified as Saurabh Kumar and M.D. Sitare of Bihar. They were said to be in serious condition as they continued to receive treatment.
Following the accident, local residents and police personnel arrived and helped rescue the injured passengers. Emergency responders immediately transported them to a local hospital.
The crash has led to speculation about the reason why the driver lost control of the vehicle. Speed might have been a factor but the accident investigators have not yet established the truth. Any mechanical failure or other factors were also expected to be factored in.
The local traffic police have initiated an investigation. The officials will collect evidence from the site of the accident, examine the damaged vehicle and record statements from witnesses.
The deaths of the two employees sent shock waves through the families and colleagues. This is also an example of the dangers of driving too fast on roads, especially at culverts and other roadside structures where a breakdown in control can have grave consequences.
We are waiting for the investigation, the condition of the injured employees, and the reasons for the accident to be detailed.
