PANJIM: In a tragic accident, Ashburn Lyndon Pereira (35), a Sacristan attached to the Basilica of Bom Jesus, at Old Goa, died ‘in an accident’ at Sao Pedro, Ribandar, early Sunday morning.
Official reports state that his two-wheeler collided against a stray cattle
According to Old Goa Police Inspector Yogesh Sawant, the accident occurred at Sao Pedro, Ribandar, at around 2.30 am on Sunday, when Pereira was proceeding from Guirim to the Basilica, at Old Goa. A passerby saw him colliding against a stray animal and he immediately informed Police Control Room, saying that he hit a cow and fell down. He was wearing a helmet but the helmet came off.
But there is one version which points to Periera being in a restaurant in Panjim, on Saturday night till past midnight.
Pereira was shifted to the Goa Medical College where doctors declared him brought dead. The post-mortem report has stated that cause of death was due to head injury.
The Old Goa Police have registered the case as unnatural death and PSI Edwin Dias is conducting further investigations under the guidance of PI Yogesh Sawant.
The deceased’s mother told the priest that though Ashburn was a resident of Socorro, he was committed to the Basilica. Hence his funeral will be held at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa on Tuesday morning, as per the family wishes.
When contacted, Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, Fr Patricio Fernandes said, “The accident occurred on Saturday night. He was working at the Basilica for one-and-half years from June 2022.”
Fr Fernandes said, “He had expressed his desire to become a priest but later he wanted to work as a Sacristan. He was returning to the Basilica when the accident occurred near the St Anthony’s Chapel road stretch.”
He said that Ashburn normally used to have meals at different places in Old Goa and Panjim, which he liked. He was possibly with friends. He was excellent at work. He was intellectual, capable and had good leadership qualities, he was good at languages. He was in control of the situation and was getting better and better. He was getting groomed to be a future Sacristan at the Basilica. He was very reliable and capable and trustworthy. Everyone is shocked to hear about his untimely passing away, he said condoling Ashburn’s death.
Hugo Gonsalves of Santa Cruz said that people were talking many things about his death but there is no clarity. He said that Ashburn was staying in the Basilica and he got the information about the traffic death on Sunday morning.
