A tragic accident in Maharashtra’s Nashik district claimed the lives of six members of the same family on Sunday, after their vehicle plunged into an 800-foot gorge on the route leading to the Saptashrungi Mata temple. The Innova, registered as MH15 BN 555, was travelling uphill when the driver reportedly lost control while trying to overtake near the Bhavari waterfall — a section notorious for its sharp turns and narrow passage. The car slipped off the edge and fell deep into the valley, killing all occupants instantly.
Police confirmed that all six victims belonged to the Patel family and were travelling together for a temple visit. The deceased were identified as Kirti Patel (50), Rasila Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Pachan Patel (60) and Maniben Patel (60), all of whom were close relatives. Shortly after the crash, teams from the local police station, the Saptashrungi Gad Disaster Management Team and the Saptashrungi Gad Gram Panchayat reached the site. However, the steep drop and the thick terrain surrounding the crash zone made access extremely difficult, preventing immediate recovery of the bodies.
Authorities have summoned an additional rescue team from Nashik to assist in efforts to reach the wreckage, which remains at the base of the ravine. Officials indicated that retrieval could take several hours, given the terrain and limited accessibility. The accident has triggered anger among residents in the region, who allege that the ghat road has been neglected for years. Locals claim that the curve where the vehicle skidded has poor maintenance and inadequate safety barriers, despite repeated complaints to the Public Works Department.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining whether speeding, unsafe road conditions, overtaking at a blind curve, or driver misjudgment were contributing factors in the fatal crash.
