Mumbai: The Worli seaface fails to shake off its accident-prone tag, despite the efforts by the Mumbai traffic police to put a stop the speed demons.
In the wee hours on Friday, a 19-year-old son of a Worli-based steel baron had a narrow escape when he lost control of his car while speeding.
Jai Goel, a student of Podar College, was racing with friends at 120 kmph in his father's Honda Accord when his car tumbled thrice before turning turtle. He rammed into benches on the sea face and his car stopped only a few metres from the plunging into the sea, while those racing with him fled within minutes.
Eyewitnesses said the youth were lucky to have escaped with minor injuries.
Interestingly, one eyewitness was no other than the Goel's driver Mukesh Jat. While Jai stepped on the accelerator, he ordered Jat to stand at the sea face and watch him race.
"Jai
saab asked me to sit while he went for a drive. I was sitting a few meters from the accident spot. I was stunned I ran to the car to help the three. They were not drunk,
saab must have lost his balance," said the driver reluctantly fearing that he may lose his job.
Added another eyewitness, who was strolling at the sea front. "There were three vehicles chasing each other at the speed of wind, more than 120 kmph when the driver lost control of the car. It ran over the benches on the sea face and then rammed into a parked vehicle after which it toppled thrice before it came to an halt."
According to Jitendra S, a night guard manning the sea face, youngsters racing on the sea face is a everyday story.
The police did not confirm whether the teenagers were sober.
"We are investigating the case. The boy was speeding and he seems to have lost control. We still have to conduct a test to find out if he was intoxicated," said U K Mane, duty officer, Worli police station.
Meanwhile, Jai's father said that it was not his son, but his friend Rounak who was driving the car. "Jai was not on the driver's seat, but his friend Rounak. He suddenly lost control of the car; it must some technical fault," said Jagdish.