• Source:JND
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In a shocking incident, a woman drove her car into a ditch near the Dhruvatara Jetty in Navi Mumbai during the early hours of Friday while reportedly following directions from a navigation app on her phone. The woman, who was travelling from Belapur to Ulwe around 1:00 am, was rescued by marine security personnel present nearby.

According to initial reports, the woman was supposed to take the Bay Bridge in Belapur to reach Ulwe. However, it was alleged that Google Maps directed her underneath the bridge, towards an unpaved or unmapped area. Trusting the route displayed on her phone, she drove the vehicle below the bridge, where it suddenly plunged into a ditch near the jetty.

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Marine security officials rushed to the spot and found the woman floating in the river. She was rescued and later, the car was pulled out using a crane. Assistant Police Inspector Narayan Palampalle of Belapur Police Station said, "At about 1:00 a.m. on Friday, we received information about an Audi car that had fallen into the Belapur ditch."

"Our team, along with marine security guards and local police, went to the site and found that the woman was heading towards Ulwe while using Google Maps. Instead of going over the bridge, she drove below and met with the accident. She was safely rescued and was alone in the car at the time," he said.

Google Issues Clarification

Following media reports linking the incident to faulty navigation, Google issued a statement denying any error on its part. "We wish to clarify that the road under the bridge is not mapped for navigation in Google Maps, and our internal review confirms that Maps did not recommend a route through it. The only route Google Maps provides in this area is through the Belapur Bridge over the Panvel Creek," a statement by Google said.

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"We built Google Maps with safety and reliability in mind and will continue to focus on delivering a high-quality navigation experience to people everywhere," the company added.