Margao: Late Saturday night, a mini truck carrying around 15 passengers veered off the road and fell into a ditch near a culvert at Bally on NH-66, resulting in the loss of two lives and serious injuries to five children.
According to Cuncolim police, the injured children were taken to South Goa District Hospital and later referred to Goa Medical College Hospital in Bambolim for treatment.
The driver of the ill-fated mini truck, identified as Rakesh Gore, has been booked under sections 279, 336, 337, 338, 304 and section 21(10) read with 184 and 185 of the Indian Penal Code for driving while intoxicated. Has gone. Motor Vehicles Act.
Police said the driver, Gore, had illegally boarded the passengers in his good carrier vehicle, which was on its way from Mangalore to Kolhapur via Goa. They said that upon entering the state, he stopped and drank alcohol and started driving rashly and recklessly.
Eyewitnesses recalled the horrific scene when the vehicle hit a retaining wall near Pike Temple, causing it to fall from a height of about 10 meters near the culvert. Since the vehicle was stuck in a dangerous situation, the fire department was called to rescue the passengers.
Among the casualties, Devraj Sathalia and Hakku Sathalia lost their lives, while cleaner Sai Ashok Chauhan and 11 others, including five children, suffered injuries of varying severity and are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Cancolim PI Diogo Gracias said the injured persons were Arvind, Santosh, Rahul, Mukta and Kiran Sathalia.
The children admitted to GMC were identified as Vikram, Yuvraj, Veerav, Varnav and the only girl, Rani.
Many local people helped the police in rescuing the passengers and taking them to the hospital.
Police have removed the mini truck from the roadside and taken it to Cuncolim police station for inspection by RTO Margao.
The community rallied together in a show of solidarity, with many locals assisting officials in rescue efforts and transporting victims to medical facilities.
