Mumbai: Four occupants of a fleet cab had a narrow escape after their taxi driver lost control at high speed near Haji Ali, flew over the concrete barrier of the promenade and landed on the tetrapods by the sea in the early hours of Thursday.
The Tardeo police have arrested the driver of the cab who, along with his three passengers, escaped with minor injuries.
According to the Tardeo police, the accident occurred around 4:45 a.m. near the National Sports Club of India (NSCI). Mahim resident Aditya Tawde (25) had taken his two friends out for sightseeing on Wednesday night, and they were on their way back to Mr. Tawde’s residence.
“Mr. Tawde’s friends, Pritesh Kandohi and Akash Vishwakarma, hail from Madhya Pradesh, and were staying with him during their visit to Mumbai. After visiting several spots in south Mumbai on Wednesday night, the three friends reached Haji Ali at dawn on Thursday. They hailed an Ola cab to Mahim,” said an officer with the Tardeo police.
The officer said the cab had just passed the NSCI, when the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle and it veered hard to the left. Due to its high speed, it crashed into the barrier of the promenade, flipped over and landed hard on the tetrapods in the water. The three passengers and the driver, Abdul Sheilkh (35), and had a miraculous escape.
Passing motorists and other witnesses jumped over the barrier and helped all four out of the mangled remains of the car. They were all rushed to Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, and were discharged after treatment.
The Tardeo police recorded statements from all the four, after which Mr. Sheikh was arrested.
“Inquiries have established that Mr. Sheikh fell asleep at the wheel, which led to the accident. We have charged him with causing injury and endangering life due to rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act,” said senior police inspector Sanjay Surve of the Tardeo police station.
