Six Killed as Car Falls Into 800-Foot Ravine Near Nashik Shrine
Rescue teams struggle to reach wreckage on narrow Saptashrungi ghat road
- Innova plunges into deep valley near Bhavari waterfall; all six passengers dead
- Victims from Patel family were en route to Saptashrungi Mata temple
- Rescue operation hampered by steep terrain and difficult access
- Locals blame poor road maintenance; police begin investigation
GG News Bureau
Nashik, 7th Dec: Six members of a family died on Sunday after their vehicle plunged into an 800-foot ravine on the route leading to the Saptashrungi Mata temple in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.
The Innova, bearing registration number MH15 BN 555, was headed towards the hill shrine when the driver reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake near the Bhavari waterfall — a stretch known for sharp curves and a narrow roadway. The vehicle veered off the edge and crashed into the deep valley below, killing all occupants instantly.
Police said all six victims belonged to the Patel family and were travelling together for a temple visit. They were identified as Kirti Patel (50), Rasila Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Pachan Patel (60) and Maniben Patel (60). Officers confirmed the victims were closely related.
Personnel from the local police station, the Saptashrungi Gad Disaster Management Team and the Saptashrungi Gad Gram Panchayat rushed to the site soon after receiving information. However, the steep drop and dense terrain have made rescue operations extremely difficult. The wreckage lies roughly 800 feet below the road, and teams have been struggling to reach the spot. An additional rescue unit from Nashik has been deployed to assist in retrieving the bodies, which had not yet been recovered at the time of reporting.
Authorities said the recovery process could take several hours due to the challenging geography and restricted access.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed anger over the condition of the ghat road. Locals alleged that the accident occurred due to poor maintenance and inadequate safety measures at the curve where the vehicle skidded. They accused the Public Works Department of ignoring repeated complaints about the damaged stretch.
Police have begun an investigation and are examining whether speeding, road conditions or driver error contributed to the crash.
