A late-night drive along the Worli stretch of Mumbai’s Coastal Road nearly turned fatal when a speeding Ertiga lost control, smashed through a divider, and plunged nearly 30 feet into the Arabian Sea on Monday night.
In a chilling sequence that could have ended in tragedy, the car went airborne after hitting the median near Worli and crashed into the dark waters below. The driver, identified as Frashogor Dararayush Battiwala, 28, miraculously survived — thanks to the quick response by Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) jawans on patrol, who didn’t waste a second in pulling him out.
The incident occurred around midnight. According to police, the car was heading from Mahalaxmi towards Worli when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while speeding. The impact with the divider was so forceful that the car soared off the edge and dropped straight into the sea, sinking within moments.
Battiwala, though injured, managed to stay afloat just long enough for MSF personnel to arrive and rescue him. He was rushed to a nearby government hospital with minor injuries.
Police from Worli police station have recorded the driver’s statement regarding the accident and have also reviewed the CCTV footage from the area. While it is yet to be confirmed, investigators are probing whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
“The car lost control at high speed, hit the divider and flew off the edge. Thankfully, our men acted swiftly, or this could’ve ended very differently,” said an officer at the scene.
As of Tuesday morning, the vehicle remains submerged in the sea, with recovery efforts underway. The incident has once again raised concerns over speeding on the newly developed coastal stretch and the need for better crash barriers in vulnerable areas.
Senior Police Inspector Arvind Patil of Worli Police Station said, “We were successful in rescuing the driver after the accident.”
