Video: Woman crashes into creek following Google Maps misroute in Mumbai

A woman in Navi Mumbai drove her car into a creek on Friday morning while following Google Maps, according to NDTV. The app, they reported, directed her under the Bay bridge in Belapur instead of onto it—leading her toward the Dhruvatara Jetty near Ulwe.

She followed the route unknowingly—until her car plunged into a water-filled ditch.

Swift rescue by marine security team

Fortunately, marine security personnel stationed nearby witnessed the incident and rushed to help. The woman was rescued within minutes and was uninjured. A crane later recovered the vehicle from the creek.

Footage from the scene shows the white car being lifted out of the ditch by officials.

Not the first case of GPS gone wrong

This isn’t an isolated incident. Google Maps has faced criticism for several misdirections that have ended in tragedy or near-misses:

• Uttar Pradesh, 2024: Three people died after their car, led by Google Maps, drove onto a broken bridge and fell into the Ramganga river.

• Nepal-Gorakhpur route, 2025: A vehicle nearly plunged off an incomplete flyover after GPS failed to show it was under construction.

• Hyderabad tourists in Kerala: A group drove into a swollen stream during rains after blindly following navigation.

• Bengaluru flyer, 2024: A man missed his flight after Google underestimated travel time by over an hour.

• Kerala wedding mix-up: A groom’s party ended up 60 km away at the wrong temple due to a wrong location pin.

Growing concerns over GPS accuracy

Experts warn that while digital navigation aids are helpful, they’re not infallible—especially in areas with poor infrastructure data, under-construction roads, or extreme weather.

Users are urged to stay alert, cross-check routes when possible, and avoid depending entirely on GPS, especially during night travel or in unfamiliar terrain.