PANJIM: The horrific Old Goa-Corlim highway accident death toll rose to six with the driver of the ill-fated car, Shanal Pereira who was critically injured, succumbed while undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, on Wednesday morning.   

Deputy Superintendent of Police Nelson Albuquerque confirmed the news stating the post-mortem would be conducted on Thursday to ascertain the exact cause of death. 

“He was in a critical state. The doctors informed us that he passed away this morning,” he told Herald. 

According to the prima facie investigation into the accident, Shanal (38), who was driving Maruti Suzuki SX4 (MH-04-ET-3842) missed the lane and hit two pedestrians on the other side of the highway. The speeding car then crashed into an oncoming truck container DN-09-J-9100. Three of the total eight car passengers - Natalie Pereira (60), Vrushali Bhoir (35), her daughter Manshree (4 years); and pedestrians Luis Minguel Menezes (52) and Ida Queroz (55) died on the very day while Shanal, his wife Rupa (35) and Savia (17) were in critical condition. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had termed the accident as a case of ‘slight negligent driving.’

Two patients, Albuquerque said were shifted to a Mumbai hospital by the family despite the doctors advising not to do so. 

Old Goa police have recorded the statements of the youngest survivor Shannon Pereira, truck driver Ganesh Ghure of Sholapur and cleaner Mahadev Sabal of Belgaum so far.