Four dead, six injured in accident near Navsari

SURAT: Four persons, including a woman, belonging to a cultural group from Maharashtra died on the spot in an accident near Navsari on Tuesday. They were a part of a group of 10 people travelling back to their home state after a 15-day performance tour of Rajasthan. The accident took place when the 12-seater vehicle carrying them broke through the road divider after the driver lost control over the vehicle and collided with a truck coming from the opposite side.
The deceased were identified as Krishna S Kiran, Ujjawalabai, Sakhaji Wedkar and the driver of the vehicle, Sandip Pawar. The troupe was travelling to Savli in Maharashtra.
Officials of Navsari rural police said the accident took place around 7.30 am close to Dhola Pipla village, some 8 km off Navsari town, on national highway No. 8.
"The collision was so intense that people sitting in the front side of the vehicle including the driver had no chance to save themselves," said sub-inspector B S Khorat.
He further said, "It appears that driver must have dozed off while driving and could not control the vehicle."
The six injured members of the troupe are being treated in Navsari civil hospital. "Since the members don't know the full official names of their colleagues, we are finding it difficult to communicate with their family members," said a police official.
The injured have been identified as Shantabai Mahipatram, Sandhya bai, Namdev Shinde, Santosh Dangi, Rajendra and Sarjerao Pawar.