A 25-year-old car dealer died after the steering wheel airbag of a parked vehicle allegedly deployed unexpectedly during a routine inspection in Maharashtra's Bhayandar, police said. The victim, identified as Mohit Suresh Soni, was examining a second-hand Honda car on Wednesday before accepting it for sale to a third party when the fatal incident occurred. Authorities have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the unexpected airbag deployment.

According to police, Soni had pulled the vehicle over by the roadside to inspect it when the steering wheel airbag suddenly inflated. During the deployment, the airbag's plastic cover allegedly detached with considerable force and struck the right side of his neck, causing a severe injury and heavy bleeding. Passers-by noticed the incident and alerted the police, who rushed him to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Government Hospital in Bhayandar. Doctors examined Soni and declared him dead before he could be admitted for treatment.

Investigators said an initial inspection of the 15-year-old Honda vehicle found no visible signs of an external collision that could have triggered the airbag system. Police also noted that the vehicle possessed a valid fitness certificate. As part of the probe, forensic experts visited the scene and collected blood samples and other evidence from inside the car to help reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the fatal accident.

Also Read: IMD Forecasts Southwest Monsoon Arrival In Mumbai Within 48 Hours

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has been directed to conduct a detailed examination of the vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems to determine whether a technical fault, wiring defect or malfunction caused the airbag to deploy while the car was stationary. Investigators are also tracing the vehicle's previous owner to ascertain whether it had experienced any similar mechanical or electrical issues in the past that may be relevant to the investigation.

Mohit Soni's family has sought a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Police said they are awaiting forensic and technical reports before drawing any conclusions regarding the cause of the incident. Depending on the findings, investigators will determine whether any manufacturing defect, maintenance issue or unauthorised modification contributed to the airbag deployment.

Airbags are designed to inflate within milliseconds during a collision to protect occupants from serious injuries by cushioning the impact. However, experts note that accidental deployment or malfunction of an airbag system can itself cause severe injuries because of the immense force generated during inflation. Authorities have emphasised that the exact reason behind the unexpected deployment in this case remains under investigation, and the cause of the fatal accident will only be established after the forensic and technical examinations are completed.

Also Read: Mumbai Mega Block On Sunday To Affect Western And Central Railway Harbour Line Services