Pune, 23 March 2026: In a tragic road accident on the Pune–Nashik National Highway, three people lost their lives while two others were injured after a car collided with a bus near Ekalahare village in Manchar (Ambegaon taluka) late Sunday night (March 22). The deceased include a husband and wife, all residents of Bhosari in Pune.
According to preliminary information, the family had travelled to Nashik to attend a function and were returning to Pune when the accident occurred near Indraprastha petrol pump.
Their speeding car first hit the divider and, after crossing to the other side, the driver-side wheel reportedly detached, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle then veered into the opposite lane and was hit head-on by a bus travelling from Pune towards Nashik.
The impact was so severe that the car was completely mangled. Locals had to make significant efforts to pull the victims out of the wreckage. Upon receiving information, Senior Police Inspector Shrikant Kankal from Manchar Police Station, along with his team, rushed to the spot and initiated rescue operations with the help of local residents.
The injured were immediately shifted to Manchar Sub-District Hospital. Medical officer Dr. Vivekanand Fasale and his team examined the victims and declared three persons dead. The deceased have been identified as Mallikarjun Ambegave (46), Aarti Ambegave (42), and Lata Bhuplonde (63).
One person remains in critical condition, while another sustained minor injuries and is undergoing treatment. The incident has caused grief in the area, and further investigation is currently being carried out by Manchar police.