Mumbai: Rider dead, pillion critical as bike hits 'invisible' speed breaker

The absence of reflective white stripes on a speed breaker allegedly resulted in a fatal fall for a biker, who was run over by a car behind his vehicle on Wednesday night in Kandivli.

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While Nilesh Kadam, who was riding the motorcycle succumbed to injuries at Shatabdi Hospital in the wee hours of yesterday, his friend Ajay Thorat, who was riding pillion, sustained grievous injuries and is currently battling for his life in the ICU. The duo was on its way to Marve. The incident occurred at Rajguru bridge, connecting Kandivli east and west, near Kalpataru Gardens around 11.15 pm on Wednesday. Eyewitnesses claimed they rushed the duo to the hospital and simultaneously informed their families about the mishap. An eyewitness said the duo fell off the bike after their motorcycle hit a speed breaker, which they failed to spot. They added that the car driver fled the spot.

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Critical: Ajay Thorat

"He lost control over his bike after hitting the speed breaker. Eyewitnesses told us that they weren't speeding, but they failed to spot the speed breaker. A Swift car that was behind them ran over them," said Ajay's brother-in-law Sanjay Bhaviskar.

The motorcycle on which Nilesh and Ajay were travelling hit the unmarked speed breaker outside Kalpataru Gardens on Wednesday night. Pics/Nimesh Dave

He added that the speed breaker was built recently to prevent motorists from speeding outside the society's gate. "I understand the need for a speed breaker. It is for the safety of vehicles and people coming out of the society. But it should have white stripes. The area isn't well lit and the speed breaker is almost invisible," Bhaviskar said.

Doctors said the nature of injuries were grievous as the two were not wearing helmets. While Nilesh injured his head and succumbed to the injuries during treatment, Ajay is undergoing treatment for multiple injuries.

While Ajay works for the storage department at the international airport, Nilesh is a clerk at the High Court and is survived by an eight-month pregnant wife. His mother had passed away a year ago.