Fatal Crash At Pune’s Navale Bridge: Speeding Truck Rams Six Vehicles, Biker Killed On The Spot
PUNE: A tragic road accident at the Navale Bridge Chowk in Narhe claimed the life of a motorcyclist on Friday morning, after a speeding truck lost control and ploughed into six vehicles waiting at a traffic signal. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 am near the Narhe–Navale Bridge junction on the Pune–Bengaluru highway, caused widespread panic, heavy traffic disruption, and has once again brought the notorious Katraj–Navale Bridge stretch under the scanner.
According to eyewitnesses and police, the truck was travelling from the Katraj tunnel side when it reportedly lost control while navigating the steep downhill slope. Unable to brake in time due to its high speed and the sharp gradient of the road, the vehicle slammed directly into vehicles that had stopped at a red signal on the service road.
The truck first struck a two-wheeler with tremendous force. The impact was fatal – the motorcyclist suffered critical injuries and was killed on the spot, with the rider crushed under the truck’s wheels. The runaway vehicle then went on to collide with several cars ahead, badly damaging at least five four-wheelers in a devastating chain reaction involving six vehicles in total.
The crash sent shockwaves through the area. Debris and mangled vehicle parts were strewn across the road, drawing a large crowd that temporarily brought traffic to a standstill. Police personnel from Sinhagad Road Police Station and traffic police rushed to the scene shortly after being alerted. With assistance from local residents, they cleared the wreckage and restored traffic movement.
The body of the deceased motorcyclist has been sent to Sassoon Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have begun the process of registering a case against the truck driver, and investigations are currently underway.
Residents and commuters have long flagged the Katraj–Navale Bridge stretch as one of Pune’s most dangerous accident zones, citing the steep slope, excessive vehicle speeds, and heavy traffic as persistent hazards. Road safety observers point to a troubling pattern behind many such “lost control” incidents – heavy vehicle drivers reportedly coasting downhill in neutral gear to save fuel, a practice that renders brakes ineffective and puts lives at grave risk. Despite repeated concerns raised by locals and various measures taken by authorities, accidents at this location continue with alarming regularity.
Further investigation into Friday’s accident is underway.
