Team Herald
PONDA: In tragic accident reported at Vadakade-Usgao on Wednesday, 20-year-old rider Chandrakant Dhali and 22-year-old pillion rider Alisha Fernandes, both residents of Palim-Sanquelim, died after “ramming” the scooter into a mining truck which was parked along the road.
Ponda Police took the possession of the truck and arrested the driver for parking his vehicle in a negligent manner without keeping the indicator lights on. The truck was parked on the road following a breakdown. The driver and cleaner were not present at the spot when the accident occurred.
The impact of the accident was such that Alisha was killed on the spot while Chandrakant died on his way to the Primary Health Centre, Usgao. However, there was no witness to provide an account as to how the accident occurred.
Ponda Police are conducting a detailed investigation to find out whether it was a hit-and-run case and have inspected CCTV footage of educational institution situated along the roadside. Police suspect Chandrakant may have rammed his scooter into the parked truck, while some locals suspected it to be a hit-and-run case.
It is learnt that Chandrakant and Alisha were proceeding to their respective workplaces in Ponda. After crossing the Usgao Bridge the accident occurred 200 metres away.
Ponda PI Mohan Gaude and his team conducted the panchanama.
Gaude said the truck has been seized and the driver has been arrested for parking his vehicle in a negligent manner.
Locals claim that during ore transportation the truckers are involved in speeding their vehicles along the road in the mining belt. In the past, many people have lost their lives in accidents involving mining trucks. The locals said there should be proper control on speed of mining trucks as they pass from main road of residential areas.
The locals claimed that the drivers get paid more if they make more trips and hence are involved in speeding their vehicles. The Traffic Police should keep watch on them.
