Panaji: Amid last night’s heavy rains, a jeep plunged into the water at the Corjuem ferry ramp, with the driver narrowly escaping unharmed. The driver, new to the area, was allegedly following Google Maps at the time of the incident. The vehicle was pulled out of the river this morning.
The driver, Aman, a Chandigarh native living in Moira, said the accident happened around 2 am. “It was very heavy rain. I couldn’t tell the difference between the road and the water. The jeep kept going into the river. Luckily, it was an old Gypsy with a soft top. I tore open the back, swam out, climbed onto a small boat, and then onto the railing to safety. Anyone else in the car could have drowned,” he said.
Alcohol bottles were found in the vehicle, leading some locals to suggest possible drunken driving. The driver, however, denied this, asserting that the bottles were unopened.
Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, who visited the site, called for safety measures at the ramp, which is no longer in use. “The River Navigation Department should install barriers and cautionary signs. Following Google Maps blindly can be dangerous, especially in heavy rain. Thankfully, the driver had presence of mind and escaped unharmed,” he said, urging tourists and residents to exercise caution on unfamiliar roads.
