Elderly tourist on vacation on Goa dies after speeding Thar hits car in Assagao

PTC Web Desk:  A 65-year-old tourist from Madhya Pradesh lost his life in a road accident in North Goa after a rented SUV allegedly being driven at high speed rammed into his vehicle at a junction in Assagao on Monday, police officials said.

The deceased has been identified as Bhagat Sharma, a resident of Bhopal, who was visiting Goa on vacation. Sharma was behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 when a rented Mahindra Thar reportedly crashed into his car at a crossroad, causing severe injuries.

Eyewitnesses said Sharma was conscious immediately after the impact but had sustained critical head injuries. He was later taken to a hospital in a private ambulance, as the government emergency response vehicle reportedly arrived over an hour after the accident.

Sharma was accompanied by a woman and a five-year-old child at the time of the collision. While the woman suffered injuries, the child escaped without harm.

Myron Fernandes, a local resident who witnessed the accident, alleged that the Thar was being driven by a woman and was overspeeding when it struck the hatchback. “The elderly man had serious head injuries. The other occupant was also hurt, but the child was safe,” he said.

Fernandes further claimed that shortly after the accident, the woman driving the SUV allegedly moved to the passenger seat, while a male member of the group took over the driver’s seat. He alleged this may have been an attempt to avoid responsibility.

The police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver of the rented vehicle. The SUV has been seized for further investigation.

A senior police official confirmed that an inquiry is underway to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.

Authorities are examining CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts as part of the probe.