Valpoi
A goods truck (AP39 J1259) carrying cargo from Belagavi to Goa plunged into a valley in the Chorla Ghat area early on Wednesday, killing the driver and seriously injuring a co-passenger.
The injured person has been admitted to Goa Medical College and is reported to be in critical condition, according to medical officials.
Rescue teams from the Valpoi Fire Service carried out a difficult operation lasting nearly 12 hours to recover the driver’s body from the badly damaged vehicle.
According to available information, the truck, loaded with plywood, lost control at a sharp bend around 4 am and fell into a gorge. The cargo reportedly fell on the driver, causing his death on the spot, while the co-passenger suffered serious injuries.
Locals said the Chorla Ghat stretch has several dangerous curves and has seen many accidents in the past.
After receiving the alert, fire personnel rushed to the spot but found the driver trapped inside the wreckage. Parts of the vehicle had to be cut open before the body could be recovered after hours of effort.
Valpoi police conducted the inquest and sent the body to Goa Medical College for post-mortem.
Sattari Deputy Collector Laxmikant Kurtikar, Mamlatdar Devendra Banavalikar and Joint Mamlatdar Vishnu Rane visited the spot and reviewed the situation.
Deputy Collector Kurtikar described the incident as “heart-wrenching” and said a report would be submitted to the authorities to examine safety measures at dangerous bends in the ghat section.
The accident has again highlighted the risks posed by sharp curves in the area. Locals have urged authorities to take urgent steps to improve road safety and prevent similar incidents in future.
