Illegal joyride on Eastern Freeway kills two bikers

After the JJ Flyover, the newly opened Eastern Freeway is proving to be a headache for authorities who are finding it difficult to restrict the entry of two-wheelers on the road. In the second accident this month, a two-wheeler ride on the Freeway turned fatal on Sunday, when the bike met with an accident near Wadi Bunder.

Deceased: Rahim Aga

Ramzan Shaikh (23) was riding a motorcycle with his two friends, Rahim Aga (24) and Rajesh Acharekar (16), as pillion riders. The trio was heading back at 3.30 am on Sunday, to their homes in Masjid Bunder, when Shaikh lost his balance. Aga, who was sitting on the edge of the bike, fell off the bridge and died on the spot. Shaikh hit the divider and sustained severe head injuries. Drivers of vehicles passing by rushed both Shaikh and Acharekar to St George Hospital.

Ramzan Shaikh

While Shaikh died on the way, Acharekar, the lone survivor of the accident, is receiving treatment at the hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. Relatives of the victims were informed about the accident at 4.20 am, following which they reached the hospital.

Speaking to MiD DAY, officials from the Dongri police station said, "A case has been registered against Ramzan Shaikh under sections 279 (rash driving), 304A (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of Indian Penal Code."

Survivor: Rajesh Acharekar

MMRDA says
"When the Freeway was thrown open to the public, at that very time, the traffic department had made it clear that two-wheelers and three-wheelers were strictly banned. But if bikers are still using the Freeway, then the traffic department should take strict action against them," said Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director (public relations), MMRDA.u00a0

Not the first
On October 2, a similar mishap had occurred on the Freeway. Satish Ghatvisave and Deepak Rajguru, residents of Chembur, had met with an accident when their bike was taking a sharp turn. Both had died on the way to the hospital.