3 of family, including toddler, charred as car catches fire after crash in Balaghat

Bhopal: Three members of a family, including a three-year-old child, were burned alive after their car crashed off the Baihar-Malajkhand road in Balaghat and caught fire late on Saturday night. The incident took place near Kewalari intersection between 11 pm and midnight. According to initial reports, the vehicle veered off the road before bursting into flames. The deceased have been identified as Nagarchi Kelkar, 65, Savita Kelkar, 28, and Abhi Kelkar, 3. Passersby broke the car windowpanes and managed to rescue three occupants from the burning vehicle. Among the survivors, an eight-year-old girl, Purvi Rahangdale, escaped unhurt. The driver, Seetam Kelkar, 30, and his mother Nana Bai Kelkar, 60, sustained severe burn injuries and were referred to a hospital in Gondia district of neighbouring Maharashtra for treatment.Police said Seetam Kelkar, a resident of Pondi in Paraswada area, runs a welding shop in Pauni, Malajkhand. He had visited his native village with his wife and child three days ago and was returning to Pauni on Saturday night along with his parents, wife, son and a neighbour's child when the accident occurred. A police team and fire brigade staff reached the spot after receiving information. However, by the time the flames were brought under control, three occupants had already succumbed. Police said the bodies have been sent to Baihar hospital for post-mortem and a probe has been initiated.