Speeding Thar Crashes Into Tourist’s Car in Goa, Elderly Man Dies; Police Register Case
Speeding Thar Crashes Into Tourist’s Car in Goa, Elderly Man Dies; Police Register Case
Chaos unfolded at Assagao’s busy ‘Happy Bar’ junction on Monday night after a rented Mahindra Thar allegedly being driven at high speed crashed into a Hyundai i20 carrying a visiting family, leaving one person dead and others injured.
Bhagatram Sharma, 65, a resident of Bhopal, was in Goa for a holiday when the collision occurred. Police confirmed that he sustained critical injuries and succumbed at the scene. According to eyewitness accounts, Sharma was conscious immediately after the impact despite suffering severe head trauma.
“He had serious injuries around his head and skull area but was still responsive when we pulled him out,” said a local resident who helped rescue the occupants from the damaged vehicle.
Sharma was travelling with family members at the time. Reports differ on the exact details of the child present in the car — one account mentions a five-year-old while another refers to a five-month-old infant — but both confirm the child escaped unharmed. Another adult passenger sustained minor injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Witnesses also raised concerns about delays in emergency response. Locals claimed that although calls were made immediately after the crash, the government ambulance arrived much later. The injured were eventually transported in a private ambulance. “They waited for quite some time, and only after the private ambulance took the victims did the government one reach the spot,” an eyewitness stated.
Allegations have surfaced regarding the conduct of the occupants of the rented Thar. Bystanders claimed the SUV was occupied by a group of young tourists and was being driven at excessive speed. Several witnesses alleged that a young woman was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.
“There was a woman driving when the collision happened, but moments later she moved to the passenger seat and a man from the group took over the driver’s position,” claimed a local eyewitness, suggesting an attempt to alter responsibility before police intervention.
Authorities have not officially confirmed these claims. Police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver of the rented SUV and have seized the vehicle. Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events. CCTV footage from nearby establishments is currently being examined to verify eyewitness accounts and establish accountability.
