MUMBAI: Five people, including two foreign nationals, were injured after a hotel driver steering a Mercedes lost control of the vehicle and rammed into them at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai Sunday morning.
Sahar police registered a case of rash driving against the driver and took him into custody. Some of the injured have been hospitalised.
The incident occurred on level P10 at departure gate no. 2, around 7.30 am, said the police. The Mercedes belonged to a hotel and the driver, Parshuram Dadanavre, 34, was dropping off passengers. Police said Dadanavre hit the accelerator instead of the brake which sent the car over a speed breaker and into a railing. It hit people standing near the railing.
“All the victims are male. Two of the victims, including a foreign national, suffered leg fractures. The foreign nationals were from Czech Republic and were to fly back home from Mumbai. They have been admitted to Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle, for treatment and one of them may have to undergo surgery,” said a police official.
The Indian nationals who were injured in the incident comprised loaders and trolley handlers. The Sahar police were informed and Dadanavre was arrested. Police said the front portion of the Mercedes was damaged in the incident.
A spokesperson for the Mumbai airport said, “This morning at CSMIA, a driver lost control of his car in T2’s departure lane, injuring five people. The airport medical team immediately rushed to the spot to provide first aid. The injured have been admitted to hospital for treatment.CSMIA is working with the police and other teams to ensure the safety of passengers and continuation of operations.”