On Monday, June 17th, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, formerly known as Aurangabad, where a 23-years-old woman lost her life after her car plunged into a valley while she was attempting to film a reel on her mobile phone.
The victim, identified as Shweta Deepak Survase, had gone to the Dattadham temple area in Sulibhanjan with her friend, Shivraj Mule (25), to capture some scenic shots for an Instagram reel. Shweta, who was not experienced in driving, insisted on taking the wheel of the Toyota Etios car they had arrived in, despite her friend’s objections.
As Shweta began driving, she accidentally engaged the reverse gear and pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to speed backward towards the edge of the cliff. The vehicle then broke through the crash barrier and plunged into the deep valley below, a fall of approximately 300 feet.
Eyewitnesses reported that Shweta’s friend, Shivraj, was filming the incident on his mobile phone when the tragedy unfolded. The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows Shweta struggling to control the car as it hurtles towards the edge, with Shivraj’s screams echoing in the background.
The Khultabad police were immediately notified of the accident, and they rushed to the scene. It took the rescuers nearly an hour to retrieve Shweta’s body and the severely damaged car from the valley. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the nearby government hospital.
Authorities have stated that the absence of a protective barrier or railing around the temple area contributed to the tragic outcome of the incident. The scenic location, which is known to attract many visitors during the monsoon season, lacked the necessary safety measures to prevent such accidents from occurring.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of proper safety measures and the need for caution when engaging in activities that involve risk, especially in areas with natural hazards. It serves as a somber reminder that the pursuit of social media fame should never come at the cost of one’s life.
The loss of Shweta Deepak Survase has left her family and friends in a state of profound grief, and the community has come together to mourn the untimely passing of a young life. This tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the need for greater awareness and the implementation of robust safety measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.