Mumbai registers 1st Pokemon Go accident

 Mumbai, July 27: A Bandra-based youth on Monday faced a nightmare for playing Pokemon Go for the first time ever.

Jabbir Ali, 26, a car dealer, while on his way to his house at Carter Road from Bandstand, met with an accident, landing his Mercedes in the garage. Jabbir now plans to create awareness and educate people to be careful while playing the game.

Jabbir was on his way home from Bandstand to Carter Road when the incident took place. “I love driving and I always follow traffic rules. On Monday, around 5.30 pm, my brother, Adil and I were stuck at a traffic signal.

He was constantly playing Pokemon Go, so intrigued, I took the phone from him to understand the game. While he was explaining the rules to me, an autorickshaw rammed into my car and sped away.

The bumper of my Mercedes E240 got damaged. Playing Pokemon Go for the first time has now cost me over Rs. 15,000-20,000 in repairs,” Jabbir said.

After causing a series of road accidents in the US and Japan, Mumbai registered its first Pokemon Go accident on Monday when Ali’s car got hit by an autorickshaw.

Ironically, Jabbir claimed that it was the first time he played the game which has taken the world by a storm.

Days after the largest planned Pokemon Go event here – Pokewalk Mumbai – did not go ahead due to a clash between the organisers and police over the venue, Mumbai Police has cautioned people not risk lives while playing the game on city roads.

In a series of tweets, the police posted: “Life is not a game. Especially not one to be played on the roads!”

Mumbai Police has also tweeted a video that warns people to not get distracted while playing the game. Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Ashok Dudhe said, “Pokemon Go has gained popularity rapidly, and that might pose problems for people on the streets. So, along with traffic police department, we have started some awareness campaigns around the city. We are also using social media to reach out to a wider audience.”

Photo Courtsey: Mid Day