2 weeks ago
Boy, 11, Crushed by Truck After Bike Skids on Pothole
On Monday evening, an 11-year-old boy was riding on a motorcycle with his father and sister in Pune, a city in Maharashtra, India.
They were on their way to a tuition class.
The motorcycle slipped because of a big hole in the road, called a pothole.
The boy fell off the motorcycle and went under a big truck that was coming from behind.
Sadly, he was hurt so badly that he died; some reports say he died right there, while police said doctors declared him dead at a hospital.
People in the area were very sad and angry because they had complained about the potholes before.
A local leader named Shankar Mandekar said the government was not at fault, which upset many people.
Other leaders, including Congress's Vijay Wadettiwar, demanded that someone be held responsible.
A top government leader, Eknath Shinde, told city officials to fix all potholes before the Ganesh Festival.
He said the three cities that do the best job would get a reward.
An 11-year-old boy died in a road accident in Pune, Maharashtra, on Monday evening after the motorcycle he was riding with his father and sister reportedly slipped due to a pothole.
The boy fell from the motorcycle and came under the wheels of a truck; CCTV captured the crash, and police registered a case against the truck driver.
Reports differ on the aftermath: one article says the boy died on the spot, while police said he was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.
The death sparked anger among residents who said they had repeatedly complained about potholes and damaged road stretches, and it became a political issue.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed municipal corporations to make roads pothole-free before the Ganesh Festival and announced rewards for the top three performers.
- Who
- An 11-year-old boy travelling on a motorcycle with his father and sister; the boy's death also drew responses from local NCP MLA Shankar Mandekar, Congress leaders and Maharashtra ministers.
- What
- The boy died after the motorcycle reportedly slipped due to a pothole and he fell under a passing truck; the accident sparked anger over poor road conditions and became a political controversy.
- Where
- Nande-Mhalunge Road in the Balewadi-Mhalunge/Hinjewadi area of Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- Monday evening, around 7 pm.
- Why
- The motorcycle lost balance after slipping on a damaged, potholed and muddy stretch of road, causing the boy to fall onto the road and under a truck approaching from behind.
Residents, Congress and Accountability Advocates
Local MLA Mandekar and Mahayuti Government
Responsibility for the accident
Residents, Congress and Accountability Advocates
Residents and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar say the death was caused by poorly maintained, pothole-filled roads and demand that responsibility be fixed on municipal officials, corporators and contractors.
Local MLA Mandekar and Mahayuti Government
NCP MLA Shankar Mandekar said he saw no failure on the part of the administration, attributing the accident to bad and muddy road conditions and saying he was 'helpless' in the matter.
Truck driver's accountability
Residents, Congress and Accountability Advocates
Police registered a case against the truck driver and are examining CCTV footage and other evidence to establish what happened.
Local MLA Mandekar and Mahayuti Government
Mandekar argued that the dumper driver will face a case whether or not he is at fault, simply because the child was crushed under his vehicle, and said this should not happen.
Government handling of potholes
Residents, Congress and Accountability Advocates
Locals say they repeatedly complained about potholes, loose soil and gravel and questioned why traffic was allowed on a road under repair; Congress asked how many more innocent lives must be lost.
Local MLA Mandekar and Mahayuti Government
Ministers of the BJP-led Mahayuti government said the pothole problem is being reviewed regularly, and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde ordered all potholes filled before the Ganesh Festival.
Key facts
- Victim
- An 11-year-old boy (name not reported)
- Location
- Nande-Mhalunge Road, Balewadi-Mhalunge/Hinjewadi area, Pune, Maharashtra
- Date and time
- Monday evening, around 7 pm
- Mode of travel
- Motorcycle with father and sister, on the way to tuition class
- Reported cause
- Motorcycle skidded due to a pothole on a damaged, muddy road
- Outcome
- Boy came under the truck's rear wheels and died; reports differ on whether he died on the spot or was declared dead at a hospital
- Evidence and investigation
- Accident captured on CCTV; case registered against the truck driver; footage being examined
- Government response
- Deputy CM Eknath Shinde ordered pothole-free roads before the Ganesh Festival; top 3 municipal corporations to be rewarded by the Urban Development Department
Quotes
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik
Maharashtra state transport minister
“"I did not see the accident with my own eyes. But from what I heard, the child’s vehicle slipped and he fell. The road was bad and muddy, which is why the accident occurred, I personally believe this ... I don't see any failure on the part of the administration in this,"”
NDTV
“"It should be noted that yesterday itself Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had taken an important decision in this regards, Government is very serious over potholes... Decision has been taken that before Ganesh Festivals all potholes should be filled."”
NDTV
Sources
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