Six young Pune professionals die after Thar plunges 500 feet into Tamhini Ghat gorge

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In a tragic accident, six young professionals from Pune lost their lives after the Mahindra Thar they were travelling in plummeted nearly 500 feet into a deep gorge in the treacherous Tamhini Ghat. The vehicle was recovered late on Thursday evening following an extensive, multi-day search operation involving drones and local trekkers.

The group, all residents of the Kopre locality in Uttam Nagar, had embarked on a leisure trip to Diveagar beach in Konkan late on Monday night. They were reported missing by their families after communication with them was lost hours into their journey, prompting a missing persons report at the Uttam Nagar Police Station on Wednesday.

According to a report by HT, police utilised CCTV footage and mobile location data to narrow the search to a hazardous stretch of the Pune–Mangaon route in Tamhini Ghat. The challenging terrain necessitated a coordinated effort between Uttam Nagar police and their Raigad counterparts.

“A drone spotted the wrecked SUV deep inside the gorge below a dangerously sharp curve. The bodies were also detected nearby,” said Rohan Khandare, senior inspector of Uttam Nagar Police Station, as per HT. He confirmed that the group had taken the Thar, registered to their friend Sahil Bote, when the mishap occurred.

The bodies were eventually recovered after an arduous search. “Bodies have been recovered after hours of search operations,” stated Mangaon police inspector Nivrutti Borade.

Initial police findings suggest the SUV veered off the road on a sharp curve. Authorities are investigating several potential causes for the accident. “We are examining possibilities of speeding, mechanical failure, low visibility and slippery road conditions. Tamhini Ghat is known for hazardous curves, especially during and after rainfall,” Inspector Borade was cited by HT as saying.

The deceased have been identified as Punit Sudharak Shetty, 20; Sahil Sadhu Gothe, 24; Mahadev Koli, 18; Omkar Sunil Koli, 18; Shiva Arun Mane, 19 and Pratham Shahaji Chavan, 22.

The Mangaon Police Station has registered a First Information Report under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act as the investigation into the precise circumstances of the crash continues.