6 of marriage party killed as truck falls into river

MUMBAI: Six persons, including three children and a teenager, were killed and 12 injured when a truck carrying a marriage party plunged 30ft into a river while crossing a bridge in Manor early on Wednesday.
The man driving the truck, Sudam Bhoir, was among those critically injured. Sources said the victims were asleep when tragedy struck.
The police said the accident occurred around 2.30am when a group of 28 men, women and children from Haloli village in Manor (Palghar taluka), around 80km from Mumbai, was returning home after attending a marriage reception at Jeevdanipada in Virar (E).
Cops said as the truck was crossing Varai bridge on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway 8, the driver dozed off. The truck then swerved out of control and hit a wall of the bridge before plunging into the river below, said assistant inspector Vijay Powar.
The police suspected that Sudam was drunk but said this could be confirmed only after the test results arrived.
The deceased included Sudam’s wife Sudha (35), daughter Jahnvi (3), Atul Bhoir (6), Ankita Bhoir (4), Harshala Bhoir (17) and Dayanand Bhoir (35). Dayanand’s body was found several meters away from the accident spot as he was swept away.
Asha Bhoir (40), Shinvar Bhoir (38), Jayshree Bhoir (32), Kashinath Daola (38) and Sudam were in critical condition. They were being treated at Bhagwati Hospital in Borivli. Both Asha and Shinvar were unaware of the death of their daughters, Harshala and Ankita. Jayshree, too, had been asking about her husband Dayanand’s condition.
Seven persons sustained minor injuries and were administered first-aid in local hospitals. The rescue work was hampered by the chilly and windy conditions that persisted through Wednesday. Those who survived managed to stay afloat till help arrived.
The police later registered a case against Sudam under Sections 304(a), 279, 337, 338 of the IPC and Section 184 (driving dangerously) of the Motor Vehicles Act.