Tragic Wednesday Claims Four Lives in Three Separate Road Accidents Across Goa
Panaji/Margao/Ponda: A series of devastating road accidents on Wednesday resulted in the tragic loss of four lives across different locations in Goa, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety in the state. The incidents, which occurred separately, involved both national highway stretches and local roads, leaving families shattered and authorities investigating cases of alleged reckless driving.
Brother-Sister Duo Perish in Horrific Highway Collision
In a particularly heartbreaking incident, a brother and sister lost their lives when their car collided with another vehicle on the Goa-Karnataka national highway near Astoli, Ramnagar. The elderly siblings, identified as Rudrayya Shivannavar, 77, and Renuka Hiremath, 60, were part of a family group returning from a three-day trip. According to police reports, Rudrayya died instantly at the scene of the collision, while his sister Renuka succumbed to her injuries later at a hospital in Ramnagar.
The family, originally from Hubballi but recently residing in Ponda, was traveling in a car driven by Shivraj Shivannavar, 28, who sustained serious injuries along with another passenger, Basava Shivannavar, 70. Both injured individuals were subsequently transferred to Belagavi for specialized medical treatment. The accident has left the community in mourning, with authorities examining the circumstances that led to the fatal collision on this busy national highway corridor.
Scooterist Struck by Speeding Car in Margao
In a separate incident that occurred during the early morning hours, a 28-year-old scooterist named Ulhas Gaonkar lost his life after being struck by a speeding car on the Margao-Cuncolim stretch of NH 66. The tragic event took place at approximately 6:45 AM when Gaonkar, a resident of Gaonkarwado in Panzorconi, was crossing the road.
Police investigations reveal that the impact was so severe that the vehicle dragged both Gaonkar and his scooter for a considerable distance before coming to a stop. The young man suffered catastrophic injuries, particularly to his head, and tragically succumbed to these injuries while being transported to the South Goa district hospital in Margao. Authorities have charged the car driver with rash and negligent driving that endangered human life, with the case currently under further investigation.
Previous Day's Accident Claims Young Woman's Life
Adding to the week's tragic toll, another fatal accident occurred on Tuesday near Merces, resulting in the death of a 27-year-old woman. The incident took place near Anjunem dam when the driver of the vehicle she was traveling in, identified as Nandakumar Naik, 60, reportedly lost control of the vehicle while driving from Belagavi to Goa.
An FIR was registered on Wednesday against Naik by Valpoi police, with preliminary reports suggesting reckless driving as a contributing factor. The crash involved five passengers in total, including the deceased woman and Naik's wife, all of whom sustained various injuries in the accident. This incident, though occurring a day earlier, forms part of a disturbing pattern of road fatalities that has concerned both local residents and traffic authorities.
Road Safety Concerns Mount in Coastal State
The three separate accidents within a short timeframe have raised serious questions about road safety measures and driving discipline across Goa. Key concerns highlighted by these incidents include:
- The vulnerability of elderly passengers and two-wheeler riders on high-speed corridors
- The prevalence of alleged rash driving behaviors on both highways and local roads
- The need for enhanced traffic enforcement during early morning and peak travel hours
- The importance of proper road infrastructure and crossing facilities for pedestrians
Local authorities have emphasized that investigations into all three cases are ongoing, with charges already filed against drivers in two of the incidents. The tragic loss of four lives in just two days serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of negligent driving and the urgent need for comprehensive road safety initiatives across the state.
