Three of family killed in NH-4 mishap

A family of three -- a two-year-old boy and his 20-something parents -- were killed as the dairy truck they were travelling in overturned on NH-4 around 8 am yesterday.u00a0The accident took place near the Deccan Warehouse between the Wadgaon Maval and Talegaon Phatas where Bharat Kondiba Gore (26), wife Anita (22) and their son Omkar were crushed to death when their vehicle turned turtle after hitting a road divider.u00a0

The other three people, including the driver, escaped with minor injuries. They reportedly fled the spot to avoid giving statements to the police.u00a0According to the Wadgaon Maval Police, the truck (MH-12-HD-7799) belonged to Anant Dudh Dairy from Kikuvi village in Bhor Taluka and was on the way back to the city from Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai.u00a0

The driver lost control while negotiating a gradual left turn and the hit the divider, causing the accident.u00a0While all passengers were sitting in the front cabin, the Gores were killed since they were on the left side, which was crushed.u00a0According to the police, Bharat was a daily wage labourer from Welvand in Bhor.u00a0

The police believe that the family was hitchhiking a ride to the city.u00a0"The deceased and the survivors happened to know the driver who regularly made trips to deliver milk. Bharat worked in a factory at Rasayani near Panvel and travelled in the dairy truck every time he was headed to Bhor," said Police Sub-Inspector P Suryawanshi from the Wadgaon Maval police station.