Car hits people near crematorium in Nashik

NASHIK: Several people were injured when a speeding car crashed into a group of 15-20 people standing in front of the Amardham crematorium in the Bhadrakali area around 1 am on Saturday. The Bhadrakali police said prima facie, it appears the car driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Medical opinion is awaited to confirm the same.
Though the police have recorded only 8 people, including the 32-year-old car driver, as injured, there were others who got minor cuts and bruises too.The injured driver is currently under treatment at the Nashik civil hospital. That apart, two others are admitted to a private hospital.
Makarand Panchakshari, a Citilinc bus conductor of Nashik city, had passed away in a Mumbai-based hospital following an illness. His body was being brought to the Amardham crematorium for the last rites. A group of people - mourners along with bus conductors and other Citilinc back-office staff - waiting for the body had gathered in front of the crematorium.
Around 1 am, a speeding vehicle coming from the Panchavati side, and moving towards the Dwarka side, crashed into this group of people.
Adesh Deshmukh, a 43-year-old employee of Citilinc, who had come for the funeral was parking his scooter nearby when the accident occurred. "It was like something you see in films. The car came speeding and hit the group, and people were tossed into the air. Many were injured," Deshmukh said.
Senior officials of the Bhadrakali police station, where a complaint of rash driving against the car driver has been registered, said eight people, including the car driver, are injured and no one is critical. The driver is suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the doctor's opinion is awaited. Once we get it, an additional section for driving under influence would be added, said the police officials.
The accused car driver works at a real estate developer's firm.