30 injured as container rams 19 vehicles on Samruddhi Expressway in Buldhana

A speeding container rammed into vehicles waiting in a queue on the Samruddhi Expressway around midnight, setting off a pile-up of 19 vehicles near Tadegaon in Buldhana district. Thirty passengers, including women and children, were injured. One of the injured is said to be in serious condition.

An empty cement truck had overturned near Chainage 322 on the Mumbai corridor of the expressway, and work to clear it was under way at about 1.30 am. A long line of vehicles had built up in the Mumbai lane. A heavy container coming at speed from behind hit the stationary vehicles. In the pile-up, 18 cars and one police vehicle were damaged. Many cars were badly crushed, and some vehicles ended up on top of one another.

Panic spread on the highway after the crash, and relief and rescue work began immediately to help the injured.

On receiving news of the accident, Samruddhi Expressway ambulances, MSF personnel, Sindkhed Raja and Kingaon Raja police and a medical team from the rural hospital reached the spot and sent the injured to hospital.

Serious accidents have occurred on the Samruddhi Expressway before, and people are fearful.