A speeding tanker collided with a Bullet motorcycle in Kopar Khairane Sector-1 early Sunday morning around 5 a.m., killing a 21-year-old rider and seriously injuring his pillion rider. The lack of helmets has been cited as a major factor in the fatality. The Koparkhairane police have registered a case against the tanker driver and taken him into custody.
The victim, identified as Mohammad Kaif Hasmat Ali (21), was traveling with his friend Mohammad Mehmood (18) from Ghansoli Dargah towards Koparkhairane. As they approached the Mahape Bridge at Sector-1, their motorcycle was struck by a high-speed tanker, leaving both critically injured. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, where Ali succumbed to his injuries before receiving treatment.
“Ali lived with his brother-in-law in Sector-4, Koparkhairane, and worked at his garage. Not much is known about his friend or their intended destination. The family was not in a condition to speak,” said API Abhijit More from Koparkhairane police station.
Police confirmed that the cause of death was a severe head injury, and the pillion rider, who remains unconscious, also sustained a head injury. “If both had worn helmets, their injuries would have been limited to abrasions on their hands and legs,” the officer added.
The deceased’s family has taken his body to Uttar Pradesh for the final rites. Meanwhile, the tanker driver fled the scene but abandoned the vehicle at the accident site.
