The identities of the deceased were ascertained as jeep driver Shashikant Pundalik Patil (23) from Mhalunge village in Kagal taluka of Kolhapur district, Kantabai Murlidhar Kindare (50) of Uttamnagar near National Defence Academy and her neighbour Anubai Nivrutti Ingawale (45).

Among the injured were 10-year-old Manda Narayan Paigude, Nanda Lalasaheb Dhavde (22), Tarabai Dagadu Gaikwad (65), Hemlata Sakharam Dhavde (20), ten-year-old Harshada Shivaji Gaikwad, Subhadrabai Tukaram Dhavde (50) and Chandrakant Chhagan Bhujbal (16) (all residents of Uttamnagar).

Tarabai and Subhadrabai, who have suffered serious injuries, are undergoing treatment at two separate private hospitals. The other injured were discharged from Sassoon hospital after being first aid, police said.

According to the police, the nine residents of Uttamnagar were returning from a pilgrimage around midnight when the mishap took place. They had left for a pilgrimage of Pandharpur, Shikhar Shinganapur, Gondavale, Jejuri, Alandi and Dehu in a tempo trax hired from Borge Travels Company located in Kondhwa on November 26 night.

They were returning home after offering worships at the pilgrim centres of Alandi and Dehu. Their jeep was approaching Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports City at Balewadi when the truck which was going towards Mumbai from Katraj collided head-on with it. Police said the truck was at a break-neck speed when the accident took place. The jeep was reduced to metal pulp due to the impact of the collision. Responding to the cries for help by the victims, some residents of Balewadi and new Baner rushed to the spot and launched the rescue operation. Soon they were joined by a team of policemen from Chatuhshrungi police station. The victims were shifted to Sassoon hospital by police and residents of Balewadi. Shashikant Patil, Kantabai Kindare and Anubai Ingawale were proclaimed dead on arrival at the hospital.

Manda Paigude, Nanda Dhavde, Hemlata Dhavde, Harshada Gaikwad and Chandrakant Bhujbal were discharged after first aid. Truck driver Mahadeo Maruti Kasote (40) from Hugri near Belgaum has been arrested and charged with driving negligently, causing death of the jeep driver and two passengers as well as injuring the seven passengers.

Man run over
A 50-year-old construction labourer was killed on the spot when a tempo ran over him near the PMC colony on Shankarsheth Road last night.

Police said the construction labourer, Mehboob Kasim Shaikh, was sleeping outside his hut along the Shankarsheth Road when the tempo which was proceeding towards Hotel Seven Loves from Swargate side ran over him. The tempo driver fled from the spot after the mishap, they said.

Profusely bleeding Mehboob was shifted to the Sassoon hospital by his family and neighbours. He was proclaimed dead on arrival at the hospital. Khadak police is searching for the tempo driver after filing a case against him. His identity could not be ascertained till late night.