Five killed in car crash in Vile Parle

Four young men, all aged 22, and a 25-year-old woman died of injuries after the car they were travelling in rammed into a tree in Vile Parle Thursday morning. The police suspect the car was cruising at high speed and the resultant impact after the crash caused the deaths.

The Vile Parle police said the incident occurred around 5.30 am. The five were travelling in a Honda City which crashed into a tree near the Flora Marble Centre on the Western Express Highway. “There were five bodies inside, but the car was in such a badly mangled state that we could remove only three bodies from the back seat. The bodies on the front seat, could be extricated only by the fire brigade,” said senior police inspector Raksha Maharao. She said both the passengers in the front were not wearing seat belts.

The deceased were identified as Muzammil Kanosia (22), Junaid Shaikh (22), Dilip Solanki (22), Afsar Ali Asgar Ali (22) and Rashida Sheikh (25).

Muzammil, Junaid and Rashida were identified based on the PAN card and Aadhar cards found in the vehicle. Dilip and Afsar were identified after the police traced the licence plate registration of the car and contacted Muzammil’s family. “Muzammil’s brother told us they were all friends. Muzammil stays in Kashimira and had borrowed the SUV from his brother,” said Ms Maharao.

Junaid, Asgar ad Dilip were also residents of Kashimira. “His family said he left home around 8 pm on Wednesday along with the other three,” Ms Maharao said.

Investigation has revealed the car was travelling at such a high speed that even after hitting the first tree the car did not come to a halt but moved on and hit another tree a few metres ahead. “The driver first lost control of the car around 50 metres before it crashed, swerved to the left, grazed the pavement and then hit the first tree. The front tires and the fender of the car were damaged beyond repair,” said another officer.

Police sources said that Rashida’s family had no clue about her whereabouts. “She left home in Agripada about eight months ago after a fight with the family and since then had not returned. Her family did not know how she knew the boys,” said a source.