A 32-year-old IndiGo cabin crew member, Kainoor Mistry, died while undergoing treatment after suffering serious injuries in a road accident on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway in Borivali East.
Mistry, a resident of Mira Road, was returning home after completing her work shift when the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire in which she was travelling allegedly crashed into the ledge of a bridge on September 18.
The accident took place at around 5.45 am near Blue Sky Co-operative Society on the northbound side of the Western Express Highway, according to police. Mistry was seated in the rear of the vehicle and suffered severe head injuries.
She was taken to Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mira Road for treatment. Despite medical efforts, she died on Saturday evening.
Mistry is survived by her eight-year-old son.
Driver Escapes Unhurt
The vehicle was being driven by 25-year-old Vijay Khose, who is also from Mira Road. Police said Khose did not suffer injuries in the crash.
According to the police account, Khose told investigators that he lost control of the vehicle while attempting to drive over a bridge ridge, resulting in the car hitting the bridge ledge.
Police also said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol and did not leave the accident scene. With help from people nearby, he took Mistry to a hospital in Mira Road.
Police Add Death-by-Negligence Charge
Following the accident, police initially registered a case under Sections 125 and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These provisions relate to acts endangering life or personal safety and rash driving on a public way.
After Mistry died from her injuries, police added Section 106(1) of the BNS, which deals with causing death by negligence. Khose was served a notice in connection with the investigation.
Police said Khose had already been brought to the police station after the accident and that another notice would not be issued in the same case.
The investigation is continuing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the crash.
IndiGo Employees Were Being Transported in Hired Vehicles
Mistry was travelling in a vehicle arranged for the transportation of IndiGo employees. The airline had hired vehicles from Mayursh Tour and Travel to ferry its staff between their homes and workplace.
Her death has brought renewed attention to the safety of transport arrangements provided to airline employees, particularly cabin crew members who often travel at early or late hours because of their work schedules.
The case has also prompted discussion among aviation professionals and colleagues about the responsibility of airlines and transport contractors in ensuring safe employee transportation.
Colleagues Mourn Mistry
Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Mistry following her death, remembering her as a mother, daughter and colleague.
Social media posts shared after the accident also raised questions about the safety of vehicles and drivers used to transport airline crew. These concerns are being discussed publicly, while the police investigation will determine the circumstances and responsibility in this particular accident.
The death of Mistry has left her eight-year-old son without his mother and has caused grief among her family, friends and colleagues.
Police are continuing their investigation into the crash and the circumstances surrounding Mistry’s death.
