Nine killed in two mishaps on Mumbai-Pune highway

Nine persons were killed in two separate mishaps on Pune-Mumbai highway last night, police said.

Seven persons died in a collision between a car and a rickshaw. The victims include four occupants of the rickshaw and three of the car. The incident took place near Khalapur, when the car rammed the rickshaw from behind, they added.

In a separate incident, a couple hailing from Mumbai was killed, when their car dashed against a road divider on the highway as they were heading to Pune.

The deceased were identified as Jagdeep Merchant and his wife Armaiti, residents of Malabar Hill in the metropolis, police said.

Merchant, who was driving the vehicle, apparently lost control because of slippery road condition due to rains, they added.