Officials said that the machine was being used in the construction of Phase III of the Samruddhi Express Highway late at night. Initial reports confirmed the death of 14 workers while three others were injured. Thane Girder Launching Machine Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 16, Rescue Operations Underway (See Pics and Videos).
In the fatal category, over-speeding has resulted in 18 accidents while sleepiness/tiredness has resulted in 10 accidents resulting in 29 and 41 deaths respectively. In four instances of tyre burst, 10 people have lost their lives. Out of a total of 624 accidents, 279 have gone without any injury to people.
According to sources, the government is planning to build 16 helipads on the expressway to facilitate the landing and take off of these air ambulances.