A day of recreation turned into a nightmare at Sayajiraje Park in Solapur district, Maharashtra, after a mechanical failure on an amusement ride led to the death of a 35-year-old man and left another seriously injured.
The incident occurred on June 18 when the popular octopus-themed ride malfunctioned mid-spin. Designed with multiple rotating arms, each holding four seats, the ride operated at full speed when one of the arms snapped off. Tushar Dhumal, a resident of Bhigwan in Pune district, died on the spot due to severe head injuries. His friend, 30-year-old Vaibhav Rupnavar, also from Pune, sustained critical head trauma and underwent surgery at a private hospital in Akluj on June 19 morning.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as bystanders rushed to help after the ride's arm detached mid-air. A video captured by a tourist showed family members and visitors scrambling to reach the injured passengers. Dhumal and Rupnavar and two other friends occupied the same arm of the ride when the accident occurred.
Local police have launched an investigation into the incident. Following a complaint filed by the victim's brother, Abhijeet Dhumal, an FIR has been registered against the park's manager, ride operator, and maintenance staff. The complaint alleges gross negligence and poor maintenance of the ride and further claims that the operator had increased the ride's speed beyond safe operational limits.
The FIR cites multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 106(1) (causing death by negligence), 125(A) (acts endangering life or personal safety of others), 125(B) (rash or negligent act causing grievous hurt), and 3(5) (act causing wrongful loss to others).
Sayajiraje Park, a popular destination for families and tourists in the region, is now under scrutiny for safety lapses. The incident raises concerns about enforcing ride safety regulations and periodic maintenance checks at amusement parks, especially during peak travel seasons.
As tourism and leisure travel continues to rise across India, incidents like these are stark reminders of the need for stringent oversight of recreational infrastructure to ensure public safety.
(With inputs from multiple news reports)
