Tragedy on Pune-Bengaluru Highway: Bus Crash Injures Dozens

December 02, 2025: A college trip took a devastating turn early Tuesday morning when a private bus, carrying approximately 40-45 students and teachers, veered off the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway and plunged 20 feet into a gorge near Wathar village in Karad, Satara district.

The horrific accident has left five students critically injured, while over a dozen others sustained minor to moderate injuries. The bus was transporting students of Late B.P. Junior College of Science from Pimplgaon, Nashik, as they were returning from a trip to the Konkan region.

Swift Local Response Saves Lives

The crash, which occurred in the pre-dawn hours, sent shockwaves through the local community. Fortunately, the loud sound of the bus falling immediately alerted nearby villagers, whose swift and courageous response proved life-saving.

“As soon as we heard the noise, we rushed to the spot,” an eyewitness and local resident stated. “The scene was chaotic, but we quickly worked together to pull the students and teachers out of the wreckage before the police and emergency teams could arrive.”

This immediate, organized effort by the local residents ensured that all passengers were rescued from the overturned vehicle without further harm.

Injured Rushed to Hospital

According to preliminary reports from the police and hospital authorities, five students suffered serious injuries and were immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Krishna Hospital in Karad. A total of 32 students received injuries, with many of the less seriously injured being treated at the Venuatai Chavan Sub-District Hospital in Karad.

Parents and relatives of the students, upon hearing the alarming news, rushed to the hospitals and contacted the Karad Police for information, creating a tense atmosphere in the area.

Investigation Underway

While the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, initial police speculation points towards the possibility of the driver losing control of the vehicle. Some reports suggest that the driver may have misjudged the road conditions, as construction work on a bridge was underway in the Wathar area of the highway, combined with poor visibility in the early morning darkness.

The Karad Police have initiated an investigation into the incident, examining the state of the vehicle, road conditions, and the circumstances leading up to the crash.

This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the need for heightened safety measures and extreme caution, especially for vehicles transporting large groups of students on long journeys. The community now stands together, hoping for the swift recovery of the critically injured students and emphasizing the vital role played by the quick-thinking villagers in preventing a far greater catastrophe.