Mumbai author’s terrifying highway ordeal as Uber Driver collides with Truck

Mumbai-based author Dhaval Kulkarni and his 11-year-old daughter faced a harrowing experience during a Pune-Mumbai cab ride last Sunday. Despite the Uber driver’s initial courtesy and a high app rating, Kulkarni noticed erratic driving behaviors, including yawning and near-miss incidents. The situation took a grave turn when their cab collided with a truck near Khopoli. Airbags deployed, leaving Kulkarni in pain, but thankfully, both he and his daughter survived without severe injuries.

*The Accident*

My 11-year-old daughter and I had a near death experience on the Mumbai- Pune express highway on November 19 (Sunday).

This is our account and I hope that @nitin_gadkari @CMOMaharashtra @Devendra_Office @TransportofMAHA and @Uber @Uber_Support shall take the… pic.twitter.com/wIOmgHDiWq

— Dhaval Kulkarni (धवल कुलकर्णी) 🇮🇳 (@dhavalkulkarni) November 22, 2023

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the truck driver fled the scene without checking on them. Kulkarni criticized the response of the Maharashtra Security Force and RTO officials, alleging they overlooked providing immediate aid.

*The Accident*

My 11-year-old daughter and I had a near death experience on the Mumbai- Pune express highway on November 19 (Sunday).

This is our account and I hope that @nitin_gadkari @CMOMaharashtra @Devendra_Office @TransportofMAHA and @Uber @Uber_Support shall take the… pic.twitter.com/wIOmgHDiWq

— Dhaval Kulkarni (धवल कुलकर्णी) 🇮🇳 (@dhavalkulkarni) November 22, 2023

While Kulkarni sought assistance from Uber, he faced communication issues with the assigned driver, exacerbating his distress. Only after contacting a senior IPS officer did a police team and ambulance arrive. Kulkarni, after hospitalization, was diagnosed with chest trauma but no fractures.

The Aftermath

The truck driver fled without checking on us.

We got out of the car and walked to the edge of the road to take stock. My daughter had a bruise on her right leg. She saw that I was in tremendous pain and kept calm for she knew that her panic would add to my woes.… pic.twitter.com/n6jTARUWCv

— Dhaval Kulkarni (धवल कुलकर्णी) 🇮🇳 (@dhavalkulkarni) November 22, 2023

In his social media post, Kulkarni raised concerns about the inadequate emergency response from highway authorities, RTO officials, and Uber. He tagged prominent figures, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.