Watery grave for Nuvem priest
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, MAY 9
Nuvem Church Assistant Parish Priest Fr Thomas Fernandes (38) drowned off Galgibaga beach on Sunday evening, after he made desperate bid to save three youth from drowning. The priest hails from Colva.
According to reports, Fr Fernandes was accompanying a group of some 60 youth from Nuvem parish for a picnic at Galgibaga beach.
Sources informed that the incident occurred at about 3 pm, when some youth ventured into the sea.
It is learnt that some locals had warned the group against venturing into the rough sea, but many members of the group ignored the warning and soon some girls and boys began to struggle in the tumultuous waters.
Sources informed that after seeing some youngsters struggling in the sea, one of the group members first jumped into the water, but soon he too began to struggle. It was at this time, Fr Fernandes is learnt to have jumped into the sea and helped some struggling youth to safety.
Sources further informed that Fr Fernandes lost control in the waters and could not be seen and the youth raised an alarm.
Responding to the cries of the youth, some locals rushed to beach and retrieved the body of Fr Fernandes.
The three youth, who were earlier saved from drowning by Fr Fernandes and others, were later provided first aid at Canacona Community Health Centre, before being shifted to a private hospital in Margao.
The three youth are identified as Jasmi Fernandes (19), Neema Fernandes (17) and Lee Carvalho (18), informed CHC sources.
When contacted, CHC sources informed that the priest was brought dead to the hospital. His body was shifted to Hospicio Hospital in Margao for autopsy.
Margao reporter adds: Nuvem Parishioners rushed to Hospicio hospital after news of the tragedy reached the village. The Episcopal Vicar, South zone Fr Joseph Silva, Nuvem Parish Priest Fr Alvaro Martins and a large number of anxious villagers and well wishers were seen at the Hospicio hospital, where the body of Fr Thomas was preserved in the mortuary for post mortem examination.
Deacon Savio Moniz, who was part of the 56-member picnic party told Herald that Fr Thomas collapsed after rescuing the youngsters in the waters. “We tried to administer first aid to Fr Thomas as he was almost breathless after he collapsed,” Deacon Savio said.
As his condition showed no signs of improvement, he was shifted to the Canacona health centre by the 108 ambulance,
