Mumbai Tragedy: Four-Year-Old Dies in Road Accident
A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Mumbai, India on Sunday, December 22, 2024, when a four-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by a speeding car. Teh incident, which occurred near Ambedkar College in the Wadala area, has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited concerns about road safety in the bustling city.
Police reported that the driver, a 19-year-old identified as Bhushan Gole, was operating a Hyundai Creta when the accident occurred. According to authorities, Gole was reversing the vehicle at the time of the collision. The child’s family, who live on the street, are grappling with the devastating loss. The father of the victim is a laborer.
Following the incident, Gole was apprehended and charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (Indian Penal Code). Investigations are ongoing.
A police official, speaking to the Press Trust of India (PTI), stated, “Prima facie, the driver was not under the influence of alcohol.”
This tragic event comes just days after another devastating accident in Mumbai involving a BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) electric bus. The bus driver lost control, resulting in a collision with pedestrians that claimed at least seven lives and injured 40 others. Over 20 vehicles were also damaged in that incident, which was captured on CCTV footage.
The recent accidents highlight a broader issue of road safety in India. A report released last week by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways revealed that Maharashtra is among the states with the highest number of road accidents over the past five years. The report indicated that over 700,000 people died in road accidents across India between 2018 and 2022. Uttar pradesh reported the highest number of fatalities (108,882), followed by Tamil Nadu (84,316) and Maharashtra (66,370).
The devastating loss of the four-year-old in Mumbai underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, not only in India but globally. The parallels to similar tragedies in the U.S. highlight the universal importance of prioritizing pedestrian and child safety on our roads.
