An accident on Ghodbunder Highway claimed four lives around 2.40am on Friday. The four where on a bike and were heading to Thane city from Ghodbunder when their motorcycle was hit by an unknown vehicle from behind. The bike skidded in the impact and all the four fell and were grievously injured. They later succumbed to their injuries.
The deceased are Ragunath Mahale (23), Arjun Dashrath Gaikwad (20), Nilesh Madhukar Thorat (23) and Pankaj Dharma Gavit (also in his 20s). Three of them were from Kokani Pada, near municipal corporation school in Thane west; one was from Malipada in Vikramgad.
The four of them had gone for Ganesh idol immersion and after returning home had decided to go out and eat something near the highway. A police officer said it was on their way to the eating joint that they met with the fatal accident.
"The four died on the spot. We have filed a case based on the complaint and statements of the parents of the deceased under section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code," he added.
The bike has been completely destroyed with its front wheel smashed and the petrol tank completely damaged, confusing the police about whether the bike had hit something or had been hit by some unknown vehicle. A police official said they were investigating the matter.
It was an autorickshaw driver who had informed the police. All the four were taken to Thane civil hospital, but it was of no use as excessive bleeding had decided their fate. The bodies have been handed over to their families.
A police officer from Kapurbawdi police station said: "There is continuous patrolling in the area, but signals aren't on late at night, prompting youngsters to ride fast. The bike was definitely going fast and it was raining when the accident took place. We have also conducted alcohol test to ascertain if they were drunk; reports are awaited."
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