Courtesy: Mid Day
- Yash Shah who was driving the Ford Ikon overtook the taxi from the left and rammed the car into the dumper
Mumbai, Jan 4: After miraculously escaping death in the accident that killed four of their friends, Umang Saraiya and Aftab Mujawar told the police that they rammed into the stationary BMC dumper because their car tried to overtake a taxi from the left.
In their statements, both Umang and Aftab corroborate that Yash Shah, who was driving his father’s Ford Ikon, overtook the taxi from the wrong side near Taraporevala Aquarium at Marine Lines.
The car was going at a speed of 120-140 kmph when it overtook the taxi from the left and rammed into the dumper. That instantly killed a BMC labourer. Inspector Bhagwat Bansode said Umang and Aftab survived because the impact pushed them on to Yash. (Illustration: Satish Acharya)
“He was unable to control the car after applying the brakes. The car swerved for 100 metres before ramming into the dumper,” Umang said.
Aftab and Umang say that the six of them had dinner on Monday at Cosmic Hotel in Khar before going to Bhavin Gandhi’s Charni Road home for the night. They added that they were not drunk at the time of the accident.
Meanwhile, the police say the case has been closed, as Yash died on the spot. They are awaiting reports of the alcohol test, but believe it is mainly a case of rash and negligent driving. Police say the location of the dumper cannot be blamed, as it was parked in the extreme left of the road near Savitribai Phule Girls Hostel. “The car was out of control and would have hit the cab if not the dumper. But we have not found any liquor bottles in the car,” added Inspector Bhagwat Bansode of Marine Drive police station.
Marine Drive casualties
Courtesy: Mid Day
Professors lament the deaths of their students
Survived
Aftab Mujawar (18)
SYJC (Science), Wilson College,
“His mother’s blessings saved him. The possibility of him being drunk is negligible,” says his college professor M Dubey
Umang Saraiya (18)
SYJC (Commerce), Hinduja College
Umang is an average student. His friends say he is cheerful and helpful.
Died
Bhavin Gandhi (19)
SYJC (Commerce), Lala Lajpat Rai College,
Bhavin was “An ace cricketer in the making,” says his college professor.
Yash Shah (17)
SYJC (Commerce), Hinduja College
Yash was a good student. Principal T Shiware said, “After the students informed me, I and members of my staff visited his home to offer our condolences."
Somil Gada (17)
SYJC (Commerce), Lala Lajpat Rai College
A teacher said, “He scored 70 per cent in his FYJC exams. We wanted him to get 80 per cent in his boards.
Nitish Damania (17)
SYJC (Commerce), Hinduja College
Nitish was a good dancer. He won the first prize last year in a college dance competition. Vice Principal Jayesh Patel said, "Nitish was an all-rounder. He was enthusiastic to participate in college events."
Earlier report: