A tragic road accident in Mumbai's Malad area has claimed the lives of two young college students, sending shockwaves through the local community just days before Christmas. The incident occurred on Wednesday night when the scooter they were riding crashed into a stationary truck.
Details of the Fatal Collision
According to police reports, the victims have been identified as 18-year-old Ridge D'Souza and his friend Kaelyn Fernandes, also 18. The accident took place at Evershine Nagar in Malad. The pair was travelling from the direction of Ryan International School towards Dheeraj Kirti society when their vehicle collided with a parked truck around 10:15 PM.
A police constable who arrived at the scene found both youngsters lying unconscious on the road, bleeding heavily. Fernandes had sustained a deep forehead injury, while D'Souza was injured on his neck. The constable, with the help of bystanders, immediately placed Fernandes into an auto-rickshaw and rushed her to the nearby Evershine Nursing Home. Tragically, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
Community in Mourning and Police Action
The families of both teenagers rushed to the crash site upon hearing the news. D'Souza was transported to the Trauma Care Hospital, where he also succumbed to his injuries. Friends described the pair as active and beloved members of their church community. Both were involved with the youth association at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Orlem, Malad.
"Kaelyn was a zonal coordinator for Evershine Nagar for the church's youth week. Ridge had helped the decor committee. They were both so young. We are all in shock," said a friend from the association.
The Malad police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the truck driver for obstructing traffic and dangerous parking. Authorities are currently searching for the driver, who fled the scene. This marks the third fatal crash in north Mumbai within a single week, each involving two young victims, raising serious concerns about road safety.
Calls for Improved Road Safety
The incident has highlighted persistent traffic issues in the area. Activist Aditi Chakrabarty pointed out that major traffic congestion at Evershine Nagar and the Mith Chowky signal is a chronic problem. She urged the police to take strict action against illegally parked vehicles, which pose a significant risk to commuters, especially on two-wheelers.
This heartbreaking loss has devastated the families and the wider community, casting a shadow over the festive season and igniting urgent calls for stricter enforcement of parking rules and improved road safety measures in the city.
