“I was returning after performing for the Idea show in Pune.It was around 1.30 am and we were about 500 metres from Panvel. I had switched off the music and was dozing when I was jolted awake by a weird sound, after which my car suddenly swerved to the right.

The rubber on my car’s right tyre had melted, making the car lose control.” says Koena Mitra who is recovering from the near-fatal accident that took place when she was returning to Mumbai from Pune in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“My driver, Ramzaan, was trying to stop the car from careening and smashing into the fence, while I was trying to call my organizers, Wizcraft, to ask for another car.

Finally, he managed some semblance of control as the car kept swerving from right and left. His presence of mind prevented the car from turning upside down. It was scary as I was looking behind to see whether any trucks or buses were behind us.” Koena recounts.

Koena finally got through to the organisers and asked for another car. “They sent another car and got in touch with the police control room, who sent reinforcements.