Moving car catches fire, 3 burnt alive:Passersby smash window to rescue 3; 2 critical after vehicle plunges into ditch

A late-night accident on Saturday on the Baihar–Malajkhand road in Balaghat district saw an out-of-control car veer off the road, crash into a ditch and catch fire. Three members of the same family travelling in the car were burnt alive, including a 3-year-old child. The incident took place near Kelwari square between 11 pm and midnight on Saturday. The fire spread so rapidly that those trapped inside the car did not even get a chance to react. The deceased have been identified as Nagrchi Kelkar (65), Savita Kelkar (28) and Abhi Kelkar (3). Passersby break windows, save three lives Passersby showed courage and broke the car windows to rescue three people. Among those saved, 8-year-old girl Purvi Rahangdale is completely safe. The car driver Seetam Kelkar (30) and his mother Nanabai Kelkar (60) suffered serious burn injuries. Both have been referred to Gondia district in neighbouring Maharashtra. Family was returning from their village According to police, Seetam Kelkar, a resident of Pondi (Paraswada), runs a welding shop in Pauni, Malajkhand. He had come to his village three days ago with his wife and child. On Saturday night, he was returning to Pauni with his parents, wife, son and a neighbour’s daughter when the accident occurred. On receiving information, police and fire brigade teams reached the spot, but by the time the fire was controlled, three people had died. Additional SP Adarshkant Shukla said the bodies have been sent to Baihar hospital for postmortem. Investigation has been started.