PANAJI
Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Surendra Furtado and six others had a narrow escape after the amphibian machine engaged in de-weeding the St Inez Creek turned turtle on Sunday afternoon.
Even though the machine could handle weight of at the most three persons including the one who is operating it, in all there were seven on board when the incident occurred.
The incident occurred at about 12.30 pm when the mayor, along with two journalists, and four others went on an inspection of the creek, after the process of de-weeding was completed.
Incidentally, the inspection trip on board the machine was planned by the mayor especially for journalists to get a clear view of the de-weeding process.
Mayor has, however, stated that he is not to be blamed for the incident as he had asked the manager of the machine who had stated that five people could board the machine.
Former councillor Bento Lorena, who was on board the machine, said that the incident occurred because the machine tilted on one side due to the overload.
An eye-witness to the incident said, “After the machine turned turtle, the operator got trapped under the machine for some time. Luckily he managed to escape unhurt.”
Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate has, however, blamed the mayor for the incident.
“It is very unfortunate that the machine has capsised in the nullah. I think it was a wrong decision to take so many people on the machine. It is not meant for people to take a joyride in the nullah. It is only meant for the operator and one person. If there was a need for any person to check the nullah, it should have been with only one person and not six”, she said.
She also revealed that she had informed the mayor not to take so many people on board.
“I had no idea that mayor was on the machine. In fact I had informed the mayor that he cannot take more than two people. But despite that he took six people on board the machine”, she said.
