A video showing the moment a BMW plunged off a flyover on Mumbai’s Coastal Road has emerged, offering a visual account of the crash that left three people dead and another critically injured early Sunday.
The accident took place at around 5.20 am near Lotus Jetty, opposite Lala Lajpatrai College, as the BMW was travelling from Marine Drive towards Haji Ali.
According to the Coastal Road Control Room, the car was travelling at high speed when its driver lost control near Lotus Jetty. The newly emerged footage appears to show the luxury vehicle going off the elevated section of the road after losing control.
Police have launched an inquiry into the accident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash. The driver of the BMW has also been arrested, according to reports.
Three occupants declared dead at Nair Hospital
All four occupants were rushed to the civic-run Nair Hospital following the crash. Three of them were declared dead, while the fourth remains in critical condition.
The deceased were identified as Shanay Gajjal, 21, and Dhirya Seth, 17.
The third victim, an unidentified man believed to be around 25 years old, was also declared brought dead at the hospital, according to officials.
The fourth occupant, an unidentified man aged around 20, sustained severe injuries and is currently admitted to the trauma ward in critical condition, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said.
Other reports said the BMW crashed through the edge or barrier of the elevated road before falling into an under-construction area.
Police examine speeding and possible intoxication
Commenting on the incident, senior police inspector Meena Jagtap said, “A BMW met with an accident around 5.20 am. The vehicle was travelling northbound from Marine Drive towards Haji Ali when it fell from the elevated section of the Coastal Road."
“There were four people in the car. Three people have lost their lives, and one is injured. Regarding whether they were under the influence of intoxicants or speeding out of control, that is currently being looked into," the police said.
Officials had earlier said that overspeeding was the cause of the accident, based on information received by the Coastal Road Control Room.
The incident was initially reported as a crash in which four occupants were injured and taken to hospital. The subsequent medical assessment confirmed that three of the four occupants had died.
Reports also said the occupants were students and that they had travelled to Marine Drive before the crash while returning. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Crash on 10.58-km Coastal Road
The accident occurred on Mumbai’s 10.58-km Coastal Road, which connects Marine Drive in south Mumbai to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
The newly surfaced CCTV footage shows the BMW travelling along the elevated road before crashing through the edge and plunging down. The vehicle was heavily damaged in the crash.
Police launched an inquiry into the accident and were examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.