2 killed, 64 hurt as 2 MSRTC buses collide on Pune-Solapur highway

The two buses, one going from Pune to the temple town of Tuljapur in Dharashiv district and another coming from Jamkhed in Ahmednagar district to Pune, met with an accident after the Pune-bound bus crossed over to the other side of the highway.

“Initial probe suggests that the bus driver was trying to avoid hitting a two-wheeler rider who was crossing the road. Unfortunately in an attempt to save the biker, the bus driver lost control and crossed over to the other side,” a police officer said.

According to officials from Yavat police station in Pune Rural jurisdiction, over 100 passengers were aboard both buses. Of those, 66 persons were injured and rushed to five different hospitals in the nearby area in over 10 ambulances.

“Two of the 66 were pronounced dead. Fifteen passengers had to be hospitalised and 49 were discharged after administration of first aid. Drivers of both the buses are among the injured,” an official from Yavat police station said.

The deceased have been identified as Suvarna Santosh Hole, 38, a resident of Birobawadi near Patas, and Namdev Baburao Adhav, 78, a resident of Beed district.