International Shooter Sambhaji Patil Killed in Crash on Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway

International shooter Sambhaji Shivaji Patil, 27, died on the spot in a horrific car accident on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway near Durves village in Manor, Palghar district, officials said on Tuesday.

Patil was travelling from Pune to Ahmedabad for training with his friend Yash Prasad Chaudhary when their speeding Fortuner SUV reportedly lost control and rammed into the rear of a heavy vehicle near Heritage Dairy at Durves.

The impact was so severe that the front portion of the SUV was completely crushed.

Patil, who was seated beside the driver, died instantly. Chaudhary, 23, who was driving the vehicle, sustained injuries and was immediately rushed to a rural hospital in Manor.

He is reported to be out of danger. An FIR has been registered at Manor Police Station against the driver in connection with the accident, citing negligence.

A Decorated Career Cut Short

Patil was a highly accomplished shooter who represented India at the national and international levels.

He began shooting at the age of 12 and later moved to Pune for advanced training. He served as a Sports Officer (Group-B) at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.

His achievements included a team gold medal in the 25m pistol event at the 53rd All India Railway Shooting Championship in 2018, followed by an individual gold in the same event at the 54th championship in 2019.

In 2020, he won another gold at the Central Railway-organised shooting championship in Pune. Patil also clinched a Junior World Cup gold medal in the 25m standard pistol event, a non-Olympic category.

The fatal accident has once again highlighted the dangerous state of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway, which has witnessed several deadly crashes in recent years.

In September 2022, industrialist and former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry also lost his life in a similar accident near the Surya River bridge on the same highway.

(With inputs from ANI)