The jeep (MH04-AA-3099), which was on its way from Parbhani to Thane, had six occupants: Ratnabhai Suryavanshi (42), a constable from the special branch of Thane police, her husband Hanumant Suryavanshi (50), two children Raju (23) and Sanjay (18), and two residents of Patlipada, Ranjith Bhikaji Trikone (30) and Jagannath Patil (25). The state transport bus (MH12 8631) was speeding towards Bhiwandi.

At a sharp turn at Mankoli Phata, the two vehicles rammed into each other, and the six occupants of the jeep were injured. Raju, Sanjay, Trikone and Patil somehow managed to get off the vehicle, but before Ratnabai and her husband could do so, a speeding truck (MP 09-KA-4208) banged against the jeep from behind and crushed it.

A profusely bleeding Ratnabai and her husband wereimmediately taken to the Thane Civil Hospital, but were declared dead on admission. Trikone and Patil, too, later succumbed to their injuries at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Bhiwandi.

Raju and Sanjay, who have been admitted to Singhania Hospital, Thane, are reported to be in a critical condition.

The bus driver Balkrishna Bajrang (40) and the jeep driver Suresh Poojary (42), who were also injured, are recovering at the Thane Civil Hospital.

A complaint has been lodged against the truck driver, who fled the scene after having rammed into the jeep, and a manhunt has been launched to arrest him.