Tragedy struck on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, known as Samruddhi Mahamarg, on late Friday night near Kadwanchi village in Jalna district, approximately 400 km from Mumbai, as a collision between two vehicles resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals and left four others injured.
The incident occurred around 11 pm when a Swift Dzire, reportedly entering the highway from the wrong direction after refuelling, collided head-on with an Ertiga traveling towards Mumbai from Nagpur.
The impact was devastating, causing the Ertiga to be thrown into the air and land on the highway barricade, while passengers were ejected onto the road. The Swift Dzire was left severely damaged.
Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene with bloodied bodies strewn on the highway. Promptly informed, authorities from Samruddhi Highway Police and Jalna Police swiftly responded to the scene. A crane was deployed to clear the wreckage, as efforts were made to rescue and transport the injured to the district hospital for urgent medical care.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, a critical infrastructure project in Maharashtra, spans 701 km and serves as a vital link between Mumbai and Nagpur.