Cyrus Mistry Death: Brakes Were Applied Five Seconds Before Crash, Mercedes-Benz Says

The Mercedes-Benz SUV that Cyrus Mistry was travelling in braked just five seconds before the fatal crash, according to an interim crash report by the German carmaker.

Additionally, a team of experts from Mercedes-Benz in Hong Kong is scheduled to visit Mumbai on Monday to inspect the car.

Mistry, 54, and his friend Jahangir Pandole were killed on Sunday afternoon when their Mercedes-Benz SUV hit a road divider in Palghar district. Two others in the car -- Anahita Pandole (55), who was at the wheel, and her husband Darius Pandole (60) -- suffered injuries and were admitted to a private hospital in Mumbai. The accident had occurred on the Surya river bridge when they were on their way to Mumbai from Gujarat.

"Mercedes-Benz has submitted its interim report to the police. It says that the car was at a speed of 100 kmph a few seconds before the accident, while its speed was 89 kmph when it hit the divider on the bridge," Palghar Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil said. The report says that the car's brakes were applied five seconds before the crash.

The Regional Transport Office has also submitted its report, Patil said. According to that report, four airbags had opened after the crash -- three at the driver's seat and one at the adjoining seat.

"A team of experts from Mercedes Benz is coming to Mumbai from Hong Kong on September 12 for inspection of the car," he said. Till that time, the car will be kept at the Mercedes showroom at Hiranandani in Thane. "After the inspection, the luxury carmaker will give its final report," he said.

Mercedes-Benz had sent to Germany the electronic control module of the car for analysis. Most high-end cars have this component, which can later help identify technical issues like brake failure or low brake fluid.