4 min readJun 14, 2023 09:05 AM IST
First published on: Jun 14, 2023 at 04:46 AM IST
“What do I say? This is terrible… three deaths in the same family in a single day,” said Satish Vaiti, as he stood crying near the bed of Savita Kailas Vare (34) at ward number 8 of Sassoon General Hospital in Pune.
Savita was declared dead at 6.45 pm due to grievous burn injuries and Vaiti, a family friend, was waiting for her husband Kailas Vare to return after cremating their eight-year-old son Kushal and 17-year-old nephew Ritesh Mahadu Koshire at Lonavala.
Vaiti, a Lonavala resident, was in Pune when he got a call from Kailas about the loss of his wife, son, and nephew in the fire following the overturning of a tanker carrying methanol on a bridge on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. “I got a call and rushed to Sassoon hospital, but doctors told us that chances of survival are not that good and just pray,” Vaiti said, adding that the Vares were like his own family.
“They belong to Udhewadi village, which lies at the base of Rajmachi fort (about 16 km from Lonavala) and were used to a life of struggle,” Vaiti said.
According to him, the Vares would cater to the needs of tourists, and Savita was quick to rustle up a meal for them. Udhewadi, he said, is “a small tribal village with 20-22 houses”. “People there face several hardships due to long distances and rugged terrain, while sending their children to school in Lonavala,” he said.
On Tuesday, Savita, her son, and nephew were under the overbridge when the tanker that was engulfed in flames spewed out toxic chemicals. Kailas, who works with a private construction firm, rushed to the spot from where he had to first take his wife with severe burns to Sassoon hospital.
Sassoon General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Yellappa Jadav said, “Savita was admitted at 3.40 pm, and had suffered 90-95 per cent burns. She passed away at 6.45 pm.”
Another patient injured in the accident was at ward number 9 of the hospital. Ganesh Kolaskar (55), who suffered more than 80 per cent burns in the accident, was on oxygen support. At his bedside was his brother-in-law Nitin Patankar. “I cannot believe this. Our families were together at a wedding a month ago at our native Adavali village in Sindhudurg district,” said Nitin, who is married to Ganesh’s sister Ashwini. According to him, Ganesh stays in Andheri with his wife Pratima and their four children — three girls, and a son.
Until late Tuesday evening, Pratima was yet to reach the hospital from Mumbai. “My sister is in total shock, and is unable to talk,” said Pratima’s brother Ashish Sonphule, who was accompanying her on the journey. According to Sonphule, Ganesh was a driver employed at a Mumbai-based travel firm, and had taken some tourists to a resort at Lonavala. “We do not know what exactly happened, but people who called us from there said that he was resting in the car under the bridge when the incident occurred. He was to return today, after being away for two to three days,” he said.
On Tuesday, Savita, her son, and nephew were under the overbridge when the tanker that was engulfed in flames spewed out toxic chemicals. (Express Photo) 
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