At least 17 persons were killed and 21 others injured in a ghastly road accident involving a bus and two private vehicles on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (E-Way) near Panvel on Sunday.According to the state highway control, the accident occurred near Shendug curve on the Pune-Mumbai arm of the Expessway, around 4.00 a.m.Initial investigations showed that a tyre of a Swift car suddenly developed a puncture and halted in the first lane for repairs.
The second private vehicle, an Innova, stopped by to offer help.Just then, a speeding bus came and rammed into the Innova from behind. Both the bus and the Innova were thrown into a 40-foot deep ditch.At least 10 passengers were killed instantaneously by the impact.Among the victims were eight women, six men and three minor girls.Most of the victims were from Satara, others from Pune, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mumbai.