MUMBAI, July 22: Noted Marathi writer and humorist Raja Rajwade was killed in a road mishap on the Mumbai-Goa highway last evening, according to a report received by the state police control today.

Sixty-five-year-old Rajwade, also the office-bearer of the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad, died on the spot. He was travelling in a Tata Sumo when a luxury bus collided with it near Chinchwad village in Panvel in Raigad district.

The writer, who was in the rear seat, died on the spot, while the driver received serious injuries. A special correspondent of Maharashtra Times, Neela Upadhye, who was sitting beside the driver had a providential escape, the report said. The news editor of Nav Shakti, Paresh Jambhale, and a Navi Mumbai-based writer Mohan Bhoir, who were seated behind, were also injured.

The luxury bus from Goa was proceeding towards Mumbai, the report added.Rajwade had written 50 novels in the last 40 years and seven books for children. He was also a regular contributor to magazines like Lok Prabha, Marmik and Vivek. Last year, Rajwade had launched a Diwali magazine of his own, called Marathi Bana.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.