Seat belt saves NCP MLC involved in road accident

Good sense proved to be a lifesaver and Nationalist Congress Party MLC Vinayak Mete sustained only minor injury whenthe car he was travelling in met with an accident near Baner early yesterday morning.

According to the police, his decision to wear a seat belt saved his life. Mete had hired a car as his own was unavailable, and was being driven from Aurangabad to attend the Loklekha meeting.

Lucky escape: The car that NCP MLC Vinayak Mete was travelling in when it met with an accident near Baner yesterday.

He had been allocated accommodation in Baner area. While he was returning to his accommodation at around 3 am, the driver is believed to have dozed off and rammed into a lamp post.

While the driver also sustained injuries in the mishap, Mete suffered only minor injuries. "Mete was heading towards the accommodation allocated to him when his car rammed into a pole. The driver may have dozed off while driving," Mahendra Kadu, Pune president of the Shivsangram Students organisation, which was founded by Mete, said.

Kadu reached the accident spot soon after and Mete was admitted in a private hospital in the city. According to the doctors, Mete is doing fine and has only minor injuries and his seat belt may have saved his life.

Well-wishers gather at the hospital where he is undergoing treatment. Pics/Krunal Gosavi

"The driver also sustained minor injuries and was saved by the airbag. The concerned taxi service company is taking care of the driver," Kadu said.

Dr Sujata Malik, Medical director of Ruby hall clinic said, "Mete has no major injuries and he is undergoing regular checkups. He will be under observation for some time, and will be discharged if all the reports are fine."

Dr Sanjay Vhora, director of Neurosurgery, Ruby Hall Clinic said, "Mete could have been badly injured if it wasn't for his seat belt. The impact during the accident was major, but still he only sustained minor injury to the chest, neck and back.

He has pain because of the impact, but he will be fine soon. We had conducted a battery of tests and all reports are normal. We will be keeping him under observation for 48 hours."
Several politicians, including State Home Minister R R Patil, who was in city, visited Mete. Patil said, "Mete is fine and will be kept under observation."

Subhash Nikam, PI (Crime) of the Chaturshrungi police station said, "As per our observation, the accident happened because the driver dozed off. Instead of taking a turn, the vehicle climbed onto the footpath and collided with pole of a street light." u00a0