Mumbai: Friends returning from Maratha Kranti Morcha, crushed by speeding truck

Vinayak Dhage, Siddhesh Mase and Siddhesh Chavhan took refuge under the monorail station during a downpour

Two youths lost their lives and another was left battling for life after being crushed under the wheels of a speeding trailer truck below the Bhakti Park monorail station in Chembur last evening. Siddhesh Mase, 25, and Siddhesh Chavhan, 22, residents of Antop Hill, were returning on a bike after participating in the Maratha Kranti Morcha.

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They took shelter below the Bhakti Park monorail station," said Rakesh Khopatkar, Chavhan's neighbour. "They spotted their childhood friend, Vinayak Dhage (also of Antop Hill), and called him over for a chat on the divider below the monorail."

Bhakti Park monorail station

Rammed out of nowhere
As the three friends caught up on each other's life, a trailer truck speeding towards Wadala spun out of control and crashed into the trio. Mase and Dhage came under the wheels of the vehicle, while Chavhan, who was sitting on the divider, got his right leg stuck between the trailer and the divider.

"Motorists who were waiting for the rain to abate rushed them to Sion Hospital," said an officer from Wadala truck terminal police station. "Mase and Dhage were declared dead on arrival. Chavhan sustained multiple injuries to the leg."

The divider (left) below Bhakti Park monorail station, where the trio was crushed by the truck. Pics/ Satej Shinde

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The three were the sole breadwinners of their families. "Mase and Chavhan's fathers have passed away, whereas Dhage's father had left the family," said Manish Salvi, a friend of the trio. Chavhan is a contract worker with Godrej Group. Mase worked in a garage in Wadala. Dhage worked in an automobile repair shop as well as at a local Chinese food joint. "They were childhood friends and used to participate together in local music events," said Salvi.

The trailer

Driver arrested
The driver of the truck, Mohammed Kalim Sheikh, 45, was caught by passers-by and handed over to the police. He was booked under sections 304 (A) (causing death by negligence), 338 (causing grievous hurt), 279 (rash driving) of the IPC, and section 184 (driving at speed dangerous for public) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Driver, Mohammed Kalim Sheikh

"He has been sent for a medical examination to ascertain whether he was drunk at the time. We will produce him in court on Thursday," said another police officer. "Chavhan is in a critical conditional and is undergoing treatment at Sion Hospital."