Thar-Fortuner Crash Leaving Three Killed and One Injured in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: Three people died, and one person sustained injuries in a car collision between a speeding Fortuner and Thar near Bopal Flyover. The accident happened early on Monday morning on SP Ring Road, involving two SUVs. 

The Fortuner carrying liquor collided head-on with a Thar making a U-turn. The impact was severe, propelling the Thar approximately 150 feet away and resulting in the fatalities of both its occupants. Meanwhile, the Fortuner overturned and was thrown 300 meters from the accident site, claiming another life.

It was revealed in the investigation that the Fortuner was speeding between 150 to 200 km/h, with evidence suggesting the collision occurred at around 200 km/h. The car’s speedometer was found stuck at 200 km/h. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is collecting evidence, though tyre marks may not be identifiable due to rain. Police said that CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the incident were switched off.

Manish Bhatt (52), a real estate businessman originally from Viramgam, and Ajit Kathi (32) were in the Thar car and both lost their lives in the accident. Omprakash aka Pappu, the driver of the Fortuner, also died. Rajuram Bishnoi (24), from Sanchor in Rajasthan, was injured and is undergoing treatment at Sola Civil Hospital.

DCP of Traffic (West) Neeta Desai said liquor bottles were found in the Fortuner car. Desai said, “The Fortuner car was coming from Gandhinagar-side along the SP Ring Road and the Thar was coming towards the Rajpath Club road cut from Bopal. The overspeeding Fortuner crashed into the Thar as the latter took a turn towards the cut. The accident has left two dead in the Thar including the driver and the shotgun passenger, both of whom were residents of Viramgam. Besides, the Fortuner shotgun passenger also died while the driver is currently hospitalised with injuries.” 

Desai said that further probe is going on. No FIR is registered yet as crime scene panchnama is underway, said the M-division traffic police station inspector.