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Hours after former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry, and a co-passenger, died in a road accident in Palghar near Mumbai on Sunday, 4 September, a police official said that as per the preliminary probe, they were not wearing seat belts.
The official added that over-speeding and an “error of judgement” by the driver caused the accident on the bridge on the Surya river at 2.30 pm, while Mistry was returning to Mumbai from Ahmedabad.
The car was being driven by Mumbai-based gynaecologist Anahita Pandole, 55. She and her husband, Darius Pandole, 60, are seriously injured in the accident. Mistry and Jahangir Pandole were in the backseats.
Meanwhile, Dr Anahita and her husband were brought by road to HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai on Monday. A team of 20 multi-disciplinary doctors are evaluating them, Dr Tarang Gianchandani, CEO, HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, said.
Maharashtra Home Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, had asked the police to conduct a detailed investigation into the accident.
Mistry's last rites will be performed on Tuesday at 10 am at the Worli crematorium in Mumbai.
Distance of 20 km Covered in 9 Minutes
The luxury car was speeding and covered a distance of 20 km in just nine minutes after crossing the Charoti check post in the Palghar district, 120 km away from Mumbai. The car hit a road divider on the bridge on the Surya river, killing Mistry and Jahangir Pandole on the spot.
The police official added, "While analysing the footages, captured by CCTV cameras, at the Charoti check post, Palghar Police found that the car had crossed the check post around 2:21 pm and the accident occurred 20 km ahead (in the direction of Mumbai)," he said.
This shows that the Mercedes car covered a distance of 20 km (from the check post) in just nine minutes, the officer said, adding that the accident occurred at 2:30 pm.
An eye-witness had said that a woman was driving the car and tried to overtake another vehicle from the left side, but lost control and crashed into the road divider.
The bodies of Mistry and Jahangir Pandole have been sent to the state-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai for postmortem, the officer said.
Anahita Pandole and her husband were shifted to a Mumbai hospital by road from Vapi in Gujarat on Sunday late night, the officer added.
Politicians, Industrialists Express Shock Over Mistry's Death
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the untimely death of Cyrus Mistry.
"The untimely demise of Shri Cyrus Mistry is shocking. He was a promising business leader who believed in India’s economic prowess. His passing away is a big loss to the world of commerce and industry. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace."
N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of the Tata Group, offered condolences to his family.
"I am deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely demise of Cyrus Mistry. He had a passion for life, and it is really tragic that he passed away at such a young age. My deepest condolences and prayers for his family in these difficult times," Chandrasekaran told news agency ANI.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)
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