A few months ago my Duster AWD was involved in a 7 car pile up on the west-bound Patlipada flyover on the Godbunder road, Thane. It happened on a weekend about 7:30 pm.
I had been tailing a white Rapid from the previous signal at steady speeds of ~ 40 KMPH and he had a red Getz ahead of him. On the flyover incline we were just beginning to pick up speed when one biker suddenly came in front of the Getz to overtake a rickshaw in the second lane. The Getz screeched, slowed to let the biker pass, and continued. But the Rapid ahead of me screeched to a halt.
We were ~50 KMPH and about 2 car-lengths away when I floored the clutch and break pedals. ABS shudder kicked in and I think the vehicle stopped in the next 3-4 seconds. I couldn't immediately tell at that point if I had hit the Rapid.
But I can recall a few details from those few seconds:
- I recall flooring the clutch and break pedals together.
- Instinctively eyed the rearview mirror and saw that the headlamps of a silver Swift were too close for comfort - somewhere my mind was bracing for impact at the rear.
- Then glanced further left towards my wife, who thankfully was aware and was bracing for possible impact (I never roll without passenger wearing seatbelts).
- The Duster, lightly loaded with some groceries in the back, shuddered a few times with the ABS kicking in.
- The flicker of ABS light on dashboard drew my attn to the instrument panel, I think I was still at >30 KMPH at that point.
- When the Duster stopped, but I wasn't sure if I had nudged the Rapid in front of me (later I realize I may have mistook the ABS shudder for bumping into the Rapid).
- Within fraction of a second after that, I felt the Swift hitting me. Then there were three more jolts. First I thought I had slotted into the wrong higher gear in panic instead of putting in neutral.
Didn't move for a few seconds, asked wife if she was OK - she said she was. She was more worried about damage to her dearest Duster.
Looked at the rear view, I could tell the Swift had a lot of people and then a fluidic Verna behind it (you can also make that out in the pic). Killed the engine, pulled the hand brake, turned on the hazard lights, took the key out, I got out asking wife to stay in. I walked toward the Rapid driver ahead and asked him if he was OK. In reply he accused me of ramming into him and damaging his vehicle. Irritated, I told him he had panic-braked and I tried my best to stop.
Then I walked back and looked at the front of the Duster - there was a gap of at least an inch between it and the Rapid - no contact! Pointed it to the guy.
Then walked further back to witness the carnage behind the Duster. Five other cars had run into each other, starting from behind Duster - Swift, Verna, Octavia, Altis, and one more that I didn't bother to identify. There was a dent on the Duster's tail gate below the rear number plate (seen in the pic). At this point returned to pick my cell phone and took a few snaps.
The three jolts were the impact of three cars behind the Swift ramming into each other transmitted right through. The Verna had two ladies, both were apparently not wearing seat belts and were hurt, the passenger banged her head on the windshield. I could see bonnets of all four cars crumpled to different extents.
Tempers flared - the Swift driver and a lady from the Verna were already manhandling the Rapid driver. I and a few others separated them, asking to be calm - no point in hitting each other (only results in claims and counter claims with the police).
The Rapid driver soon drove away. I looked under the Duster - no leaking fluids. Then moved the Duster a few meters ahead to give other vehicles some space. Opened the tail gate without any problem. Rear bumper was scratched at a few places. I have a rear parking camera installed on the rear bumper, which had popped out a few millimeters. Went in and slotted into the reverse - no rear view so some damage to the camera.
The Swift had a family - 5 adults and 2 kids - all had stepped out. It had bore the brunt of the collisions - bonnet severely crumpled and smoking, rear severely dented. The toddler in the rear seat had popped out of a lady's hands and banged against the front seat head rest. He was crying inconsolably, but no visible wounds. They were worried about the car and getting home. Asked the Swift guy to call Paramount in Mira Road (dealer) for advice on insurance.
I never understand this psyche - the Swift driver and his wife were adamant they want to continue driving the damaged vehicle to reach home in Bhayandar! She said they were returning from a day trip to Shirdi (how velocitized would he be at that point - I was wondering?). Whoever they contacted on phone apparently advised them to bring in the vehicle to the showroom and they wanted to drive in that condition!
I looked underneath the Swift to see if there was any fluid leaking - I couldn't tell if it was just some water drops from the AC or more. Again told the guy better to take a taxi. But he had already cranked the engine and moved a few feet. He said car felt OK to drive. I told him to drive slowly till he gets off the flyover and clear the traffic behind (which stretched as far as I could see behind the pile up and some idiots on the east-bound lane had stopped to watch the 'tamasha'), but not to drive another 25+ KMs to his home. I offered to drop the women and the kids since I lived only a couple of Kms away. Reluctantly they boarded the Duster. I drove move cautiously than usual for the rest of the road but the Swift driver with the other male passenger in their thrashed vehicle had reach Paramount ahead of me driving at 70+ speeds!
Somewhere on the way, one of the ladies quipped that I should have installed front and rear bull bars to protect the Duster. I mustered a smile.