MARGAO: The death of Goan youth Niksan D’Costa in a car crash on London’s bustling Kensington High Street last week has sent shockwaves through his large social circle in the UK, as well as in his native village of Chandor in Salcete.
D’Costa, 27, was crossing the shopping district road at around 8.20 pm on February 23, when he was hit by a speeding car, and sustained grave injuries. Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after and tried to revive him, but he succumbed on the spot.
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D’Costa’s death made headlines in London, as it is quite uncommon for pedestrians to be run over on city streets. “D’Costa’s body will be brought back to Goa in the next few days, and he will be buried here in Chandor,” said a family friend.
According to several UK publications, the 25-year-old car driver, who hit D’Costa, was arrested immediately, and found to be driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
D’Costa had recently quit his job as night manager at Hoxton Hotel, Holburn, and had worked at the Hard Rock Hotel before that. D’Costa was popular among his friends and colleagues, who took to social media to write eulogies for him.
A large number of mourners turned the accident spot, at a zebra crossing near the Royal Garden Hotel, into a memorial, leaving flowers and photos as tributes. His colleagues also began an online fundraiser to help his family cope with the loss. In a tearful message to his friends, D’Costa’s sister Velcia said, “It was so overwhelming, the amount of people that turned up and showed their love and respect. I am so proud of Nik that he touched so many people’s lives.”
