VASCO
Two drivers had a narrow escape while their cars were damaged after a huge tree came crashing down on the road opposite St Andrew’s Church in Vasco amid heavy rains and strong winds on Monday evening.
Fortunately, the incident did not cause any injuries or loss of life, despite being one of the busiest roads in Vasco.
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson Girish Borker and Ward Councillor Shami Salkar rushed to the site.
Traffic police also went at the site to regulate the traffic and ensure smooth traffic movement as work was underway to clear the tree from the site.
Speaking to media, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar that the tree was old and collapsed amid heavy rains and strong winds.
“We had already trimmed the branches of around 33 dangerous trees to reduce their load in and around Vasco. We had assumed that this tree was strong but we now realise that the tree looked strong but had weak roots,” said Salkar.
“We will now start the process to trim the tress by the next week. We have also decided to replace all old tress with new trees, when we take up the project to beautify Swatantra Path Road after a joint inspection with the forest department,” said Salkar.
NARROW ESCAPE
The drivers of both parked cars had a narrow escape as they had left their respective cars barely minutes before the crash occurred.
“I had come to Vasco and I parked my car here. I was feeling tired and I sat for some time in the car and drank some water in the car. I then decided to go to my office and just as I was about to reach the office, my friend called me but I did not answer his call,” said Asif Hawaldar.
“I got a second call from my friend and so I answered it and he told me that a tree had fallen on my car and the front side of my car was smashed.”
“I arrived at the location and saw that the entire driver’s seat had been crushed and I had been sitting there, just a few minutes ago. While my car was smashed, God has given me a second life today. I missed being crushed by a mere 4-5 minutes,” said Hawaldar.
Another driver, Santosh Nambiar, also missed the incident by a few minutes.
“I had just parked my car at the location and I decided to have tea in a nearby restaurant. I left from my car and entered the hotel that is just next to the area and before my tea had arrived, the tree crashed right on my car, damaging it,” said Nambiar.
