TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: While Canacona police has registered a case in the Canacona bus mishap, police is yet to detain the 26-year-old bus driver for further questioning as he is still recovering from injuries he had sustained in the mishap.
When contacted, Canacona police informed that investigation is still at a preliminary stage and statements of the driver, Santan Barbosa, and 32 injured passengers from the Fatorda Parish are being recorded.
Eyewitnesses claimed that even though Barbosa was also injured in the mishap, he was involved in pulling out the injured passengers from the ill-fated bus, which was on its way to a picnic at Agonda Beach on May Day. Canacona police said the driver later got himself admitted at the Hospicio in Margao.
“Barbosa, who was also injured, got himself admitted at Hospicio. We got his preliminary statement and further inquiry is being conducted. While a case has been registered, further action will be initiated only after recording the statements of the injured and verification of other details in a couple of more days,” Canacona PSI Prashal Dessai told Herald.
According to PSI Dessai, the bus driver claimed the mishap had taken place due to a brake failure on the Matvemoll (Khola) slope, as a result of which, he lost control of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, sources informed Herald that the four passengers are still undergoing medical treatment at the GMC hospital, while several other passengers, including the driver, are recuperating at the Hospicio in Margao. Some passengers were, however, discharged late Thursday evening and Friday.
