MARGAO: Panjim resident Smita Bhat was killed instantly when the car she was travelling in hit a pick up that was coming in the opposite direction on Saturday evening. The accident occurred at Balli Mutt when Smita and her husband who were returning from Ankola, Karwar in her Hyundai i10 car and proceeding towards Margao crashed into the pick up that was proceeding in the opposite direction towards Canacona.
Nine of the 12 persons in the pick up were seriously injured along with Bhat’s husband who was driving. Smita (58) and native of Ankola Karwar, is a resident of Caranzalem, Panjim. Her husband has been shifted to Apollo Hospital in Margao. The other injured persons were taken to the Balli health centre located quite close to the accident site and later shifted to Hospicio Hospital Margao.
The staff at the Balli health centre called in all nurses and doctors who were not on duty to help them attend to the injured persons.
The 12 persons in the pickup truck were returning from a wedding party where there had delivered catered food All 12 were residents of Khaddem, Quepem.
The driver of the vehicle Rajendra Gaonkar who also suffered serious injuries is presently undergoing treatment at Hospicio Hospital.
The names of the others at Hospicio are Subhash Gaonkar, Srikant Velip, Sujanda Gaonkar, Laxmi Velip, Rajashree Gaonkar, Asmita Gaonkar and Kanta Velip. A lady named Anandi Gaonkar and two other persons with minor injuries were discharged.
Cuncolim police were not in a position to confirm who was at fault and said they have initiated an inquiry and will ascertain the facts of the case after talking to both the drivers once they are out of the hospital. Witnesses have different versions regarding the movement of both the vehicles and police sources said that a case has been registered and further investigations are underway.
