International-level shooter Sambhaji Patil dies in Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway crash; friend faces FIR

PALGHAR: International shooter Sambhaji Patil (27) died in a tragic car accident on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway near Durves village in Manor on Monday around 11am. Patil was travelling from Pune to Ahmedabad with his friend Yash Chaudhary for training when their car reportedly rammed into a truck from behind.

The collision was severe, leaving the front of the car completely crushed. Patil died on the spot, while Chaudhary, who was driving, sustained minor injuries and was admitted to a rural hospital in Manor. He is reported to be out of danger.

An FIR has been registered at Manor Police Station against the driver in connection with the accident.

Patil was a highly accomplished shooter with an impressive record at the national level.

In 2018, he won a team gold medal in the 25m pistol event at the 53rd All India Railway Shooting Championship. He followed this with an individual gold in the same event at the 54th championship in 2019.

In 2020, he clinched another gold at the Central Railway–organised shooting championship in Pune. He also won a Junior World Cup gold medal in the 25m standard pistol event, a non-Olympic category.

Patil began shooting at age 12, and moved to Pune for training. His untimely death has left the shooting fraternity in deep shock.