A 43-year-old traffic constable, Ganesh Patil, was tragically crushed to death by a hydra crane at Mahape MIDC on Thursday while on duty. The incident occurred around 12.30 pm when Patil was managing routine vehicular flow along the industrial route.

According to police, the crane driver allegedly failed to notice the constable while taking a sharp right turn. The massive vehicle hit and ran over Patil, who sustained severe injuries. Eyewitnesses said the driver appeared unaware of the officer's presence. By the time help arrived and Patil was rushed to Vashi Municipal Hospital, doctors declared him dead.

The incident has sparked fresh concerns over road safety, especially regarding the movement of heavy vehicles in congested industrial zones. The accused driver has been taken into custody and booked under relevant sections of the BNS. His statement has been recorded, and police are verifying whether negligence or mechanical failure led to the mishap.