A tragic incident overshadowed the Santa Cruz gram sabha on Sun day as a 70-year-old res ident, Olavio Fernandes, died after collapsing dur ing the meeting. The former government employee was raising con cerns regarding fees for flat transfers when he suffered a suspected heart attack. De spite immediate attempts by the attendees to call for help, witnesses reported the 108 ambulance failed to arrive on time. Residents rushed Fernandes to the Goa Med ical College and Hospital (GMC), where the doctors on duty declared him brought dead. The gram sabha was abruptly halted following the tragedy. Speaking to O Heraldo, former St Cruz sarpanch Mariano Araujo said, “Olavio Fernandes was raising the issue of reduc ing the fees collected on transfer of flats from the builders to owners. But he was being interrupted by two individuals frequently. This made him upset. He was asking those individ uals to let him put up his views. But he was not being allowed to speak.” Santa Cruz resident Ar turo D’Souza said, “My heartfelt tributes to this pure-hearted gentleman, Olavio Fernandes, who al ways stood steadfast for what he believed was good for Santa Cruz. He was very supportive and would offer his comments and advice only after carefully stud ying an issue or situation. Even though he may not have been feeling well, he stood up at the gram sab ha to speak on a village is sue, delivering his message clearly. Within two minutes, he suffered what I believe was a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed. I salute him and may his soul rest in peace. This is a huge loss to his family, friends, and our village.”
Tragedy stuns Santa Cruz sabha; senior citizen collapses and dies
