BAMBOLIM: He is the only son. He now lies on his bed at the Goa Medical College with a breathing tube sticking out of his throat, barely conscious. His hand and leg are in plaster. There is an operation scar across his torso. This slightly built 19-year-old boy Sandesh Kutkar or Pele as he was known to his friends was looking for a permanent job. From a family of very modest means, he had managed to save by doing odd jobs and buy a second hand bike a month back. He was taking his friend Kaiser to Caranzalem to pick up his bike.
Now he is barely conscious, already operated for a probable liver laceration, he has internal injuries and head injuries. His hand and leg are fractured and are in plaster.
The other — Kaiser — wanted to complete his BBA and go abroad to work. It was all planned out. Now he will probably miss one year and spend half of it recuperating. He has a rod in one leg and the other is damaged. He has damaged both his knees.
Both victims of an accident — hit by Shobita Gaur a driver, under the influence of alcohol.
It is difficult to turn and very uncomfortable to sleep says Kaiser. Sandesh has no such problem because he can barely register anything. Unconscious for a couple of days, he can at least recognize people now, says his father who works in St Inez.
His father is accompanied by two cousins. They all look shell-shocked like deer in the glare of headlights.
According to Kaiser, his sister is the one looking after them.
Sandesh has been operated and was forced to have a tube inserted into him as he had difficulty in breathing. They have a long recuperation period in front of them – Sandesh more than Kaiser and also a lot of physio-therapy.
Sandesh’s family is of limited means. As the authorities discuss hypothetical questions and promise hypothetical solutions to deal with drivers who drink and drive get away literally with murder, two lives are on the brink with damages beyond their injuries.
