PANAJI
In a horrific crash that sent shockwaves through India’s sporting fraternity on Tuesday, two prominent figures of the Sepak Takraw community -- Yogender Singh and Ankit Kumar Baliyan -- were killed early morning after a speeding tanker jumped the divider, crossed lanes and rammed into their rental car at Bambolim along the NH66.
Police said the duo, Delhi-native Singh (42) who held the position of President of the All India Sepak Takraw Association, and Baliyan (34)
an international referee of the same sport from Uttar Pradesh, were travelling in a rented Maruti Ignis after attending a sporting event in Goa when the tanker, driven recklessly, crossed the lane, crashed into their vehicle, and then toppled into a gorge. Both car occupants were crushed to death on the spot.
Police said the driver of the tanker, Rahul Sarwade (37) from Maharashtra, has been arrested and booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Police said the crash was a result of his “rash and negligent” driving, which endangered human life.
“The accused driver, while proceeding from Bambolim towards Panaji, drove his tanker in a rash manner without taking proper care and caution. He crossed his lane, jumped the solid divider, and entered the opposite one-way stretch before colliding head-on with the oncoming Ignis car,” stated the FIR registered at Old Goa Police Station.
Sources said preliminary investigation revealed that two tankers were engaged in a high-speed race along the downhill stretch when Sarwade lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into the victims’ car.
“The impact was so severe that the car was mangled beyond recognition,” a police official at the scene said.
The Old Goa Police conducted a detailed scene panchanama and are preparing a report recommending corrective road-safety measures at the accident site, which will be forwarded to senior officials and the PWD to prevent such tragedies in future.
