In a tragic accident on Thursday morning, a 43-year-old woman from Pune lost her life when a large rock crashed through the sunroof of the car she was traveling in at Tamhini Ghat near Kondithar village in Raigad district.The deceased, Snehal Gujrathi, was traveling with her husband, son, and mother-in-law from Pune to Mangaon in a Volkswagen Virtus. The incident occurred between 9:30 and 10:00 am. Snehal was seated in the front passenger seat beside her husband, who was driving. The other family members in the back seat escaped without injuries.
According to Mangaon police inspector Nivrutti Borhade, “The car’s sunroof was closed when a rock weighing around two kilograms fell directly on it, followed by two smaller rocks in quick succession. Snehal suffered severe head injuries and began bleeding heavily. Despite the panic, her husband drove about seven kilometers toward the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
The rocks had rolled down the hill with great force. We have registered a case of accidental death.”Local police and rescue teams rushed to the scene after receiving the alert and sent Snehal’s body for a post-mortem at a government hospital.Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to determine whether loose rocks or a minor landslide triggered the accident.
Tamhini Ghat, which connects Pune district with the Konkan region, is a scenic yet hazardous mountain pass known for frequent rockfalls and landslides, especially during and after the monsoon season. Several fatal accidents have occurred in the area over the years.Following this incident, the Raigad district collector has ordered an immediate safety audit of the ghat and directed officials to identify vulnerable spots.
Motorists have been advised to exercise caution and avoid traveling through the ghat unless absolutely necessary.Authorities also issued a warning against opening car sunroofs while driving through hilly terrain. “Many people open sunroofs to enjoy the scenic views, but it can be dangerous. Even a closed sunroof may not withstand the impact of falling rocks,” a police officer cautioned.
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