Three college students were killed and another was critically injured after a speeding BMW crashed through a barrier and plunged from Mumbai’s Coastal Road early Sunday morning.
The accident took place around 5.20 am near Lotus Jetty, opposite Lala Lajpatrai College. The car was travelling from Marine Drive towards Haji Ali when the driver allegedly lost control. The BMW hit the roadside barrier and fell about 70 feet into an under-construction area.
The deceased were identified as Sanay Gujjar, 21, Aditya Jakasania, 19, and Dhairya Sheth, 17. Another occupant, Aditya Oswal, survived the crash but suffered serious injuries and remains in critical condition at Nair Hospital.
The four students were from Ahmedabad and were living in Mumbai for their studies. Police said they had been out at Marine Drive and were returning when the crash occurred. The BMW was reportedly owned by Gujjar’s family.
The impact was severe. The car broke through the barrier before plunging from the elevated section of the Coastal Road. A motorist alerted the police after seeing that a vehicle had fallen from the road. A watchman near the site also helped the police locate the badly damaged BMW.
Police suspect that overspeeding may have caused the driver to lose control. Investigators estimate that the BMW may have been travelling at around 120 kmph, although the exact speed will be established through the investigation. The speed limit on the main carriageway is 80 kmph, with lower limits applying at tunnels, ramps and curves.
Police are also examining other possible factors, including whether alcohol consumption or a mechanical problem played a role. CCTV footage and forensic evidence are being examined to reconstruct the moments before the crash.
The accident has renewed attention on road safety, speeding and traffic violations on Mumbai’s Coastal Road. The 10.58-km corridor has become an important route between Marine Drive and Worli, but its wide, high-speed stretches have also prompted concerns over reckless driving.
The crash comes weeks after police took action against several high-end cars allegedly involved in racing on the Coastal Road. Authorities are now examining the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s accident as part of the ongoing investigation.
The three deaths have left the families of the young students facing a sudden loss, while the fourth occupant continues to receive treatment. Police are working to establish exactly how the BMW crossed the barrier and whether excessive speed was the main cause of the crash.
