Two Farmers Drown After SUV Plunges into Canal in Maharashtra

Two farmers tragically drowned when their sports utility vehicle (SUV) plunged into a canal near Pimpalner village in Maharashtra. The incident, which occurred late on March 15, 2024, left one individual with minor injuries while the other two lost their lives.

The SUV was travelling on the Kurduwadi-Tembhurni road in Solapur district, approximately 190 kilometers from Pune. According to officials from the Solapur rural police, the trio was returning to Indapur after attending a family event in Dharashiv. The deceased have been identified as Anil Jagtap, aged 55, and Shankar Bandgar, aged 44, both residents of Vadapuri village in Indapur taluka. Their companion, Suresh Jadhav, aged 49, survived the accident.

The police report indicates that the men had borrowed the vehicle earlier that afternoon to make arrangements for Bandgar’s son’s marriage. After dining at a local eatery around 21:30, they resumed their journey home. While driving through Pimpalner village, Bandgar reportedly lost control of the SUV, crashing into iron barricades. The vehicle then plunged into the canal, resulting in immediate chaos.

Jadhav managed to escape from the vehicle, climbing onto its roof and calling for help. Bystanders, including workers from the nearby eatery, quickly responded to his cries. They attempted to open the doors to rescue Bandgar and Jagtap, but the doors remained locked. Local residents utilized a tractor to pull the SUV from the water.

Once the vehicle was retrieved, emergency services transported both Jagtap and Bandgar to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, medical personnel declared them dead upon arrival.

The incident highlights the dangers that can arise from vehicular accidents, particularly in rural areas where road safety measures may be lacking. Local authorities are likely to investigate further to assess the conditions that led to this tragic event.