High-Speed SUV Crash on Mumbai-Goa Highway Claims Lives of 3 Family Members, Driver

A newly married Mumbai couple’s return journey from Goa turned into a devastating tragedy on Wednesday morning when their SUV crashed into a stationary dumper truck on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The accident occurred near Shanti Nagar in Lanja, Ratnagiri, at around 7 am while the family was travelling back to their home in Mumbai Central. The crash killed the bride, the groom’s mother, his teenage cousin and the family driver. Police said the SUV was allegedly travelling at around 140 kmph before it rammed into the rear of the dumper parked on the extreme left side of the highway. The newlywed groom, Anas Irfan Qureshi, survived the horrific accident but suffered severe injuries to his neck. Rescuers rushed him to a private hospital for immediate treatment, and his family reportedly plans to bring him to Mumbai for further medical care.

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High-Speed Collision Leaves Four Dead on Mumbai-Goa Highway

The collision caused such a powerful impact that the SUV veered off its path after hitting the right rear side of the stationary dumper truck. The vehicle reportedly somersaulted twice, throwing three family members out during the violent crash. After travelling nearly 50 metres further, the SUV finally smashed into the highway median and came to a halt. The accident severely mangled the vehicle, leaving the injured groom and the driver trapped inside the wreckage. Police officers, a local doctor and nearby residents worked together to pull them out of the damaged SUV. Rescuers then rushed driver Mustafa Alfaz Kafi to Lanja Rural Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The devastating crash left four people dead and one seriously injured, turning the family’s return journey from a Goa vacation into an unimaginable tragedy just weeks after the couple celebrated their wedding.

Police identified the deceased as 54-year-old Yasmin Mohammad Irfan Qureshi, 27-year-old Fiza Anas Qureshi, 15-year-old Mohammad Anas Irfan Qureshi and 24-year-old driver Mustafa Alfaz Kafi, who hailed from Jamnagar in Gujarat. Authorities identified the injured survivor as 31-year-old Anas Irfan Qureshi, Fiza’s husband. The family, involved in the garments business, lived at Doodhwala Complex opposite City Centre Mall near Mumbai Central railway station. Anas and Fiza had married just 20 days before the tragic accident and had travelled to Goa with his ailing mother and young cousin. Their vacation ended in disaster while they were returning to Mumbai. Doctors continue treating Anas for his serious neck injuries, while relatives plan to shift him to a Mumbai hospital for further treatment. The sudden tragedy has left the family’s relatives, friends and neighbours deeply shocked and devastated.

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Police Find SUV Speedometer Locked at 140 Kmph

The Qureshi family had moved to Doodhwala Complex only about six months ago after previously living in Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar area. Dr S A Qureshi, secretary of Doodhwala CHS, said Anas and Fiza had tied the knot on June 25 and described the accident as an extremely heartbreaking incident. Following news of the tragedy, Anas’s elder sister Aafreen, her husband Ashfaque Lashkaria and other relatives travelled to Ratnagiri to complete the necessary legal formalities. The family reportedly plans to bury the deceased at the Marine Lines Muslim Bada Qabrastan in Mumbai after bringing their bodies back to the city. The family had already experienced a major personal loss when Anas’s father, Irfan, died around 16 years ago. The latest tragedy, coming just weeks after Anas and Fiza began their married life together, has left their relatives and residential community mourning the devastating loss.

Lanja police said local doctor Dr Swaroop Eklure alerted authorities after noticing the accident near Shanti Nagar. Police officers quickly reached the crash site, where the doctor and other residents helped rescue the trapped occupants. Inspector Neelkanth Bagale said investigators found the SUV’s speedometer locked at 140 kmph after inspecting the wreckage. He added that even driving at 70 to 80 kmph can prove dangerous on roads across the Konkan region. The dumper had reportedly remained parked on the extreme left side since Tuesday night following a breakdown. Its driver had placed tree branches around the rear and side while keeping the parking indicators switched on to warn approaching motorists. Police suspect excessive speed caused the SUV driver to lose control before crashing into the dumper. Authorities also plan to register an FIR against the dumper driver under relevant BNS and Motor Vehicles Act provisions.

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