PANAJI
A woman was killed while two Goan priests were injured in a hit-and-run road mishap at Insuli-Banda, across the Goa border on Wednesday evening.
When contacted, Fr Lawrence Fernandes, Director of Pilar Pilgrim Centre, said the mishap took place at about 6.45 pm, when two priests from the Pilar Society, Fr Anselmo D’Souza sfx and Fr Russel D’Souza sfx, and a diocesan priest, Fr Francis, all presently based in Dadar Nagar Haveli, were travelling to Goa.
“The three priests were travelling to Goa to make a presentation to priests at the Pastoral Institute in Old Goa on Thursday,” said Fr Fernandes.
“A parishioner from Chisda, had joined them in the car as she was planning to visit her young children who are boarders at the Auxilium Convent, Aldona.”
“As the vehicle reached Insuli, a speeding vehicle hit their car from the rear and sped away. As a result of the impact, the car hit a road divider and toppled a number of times.”
The woman succumbed to injuries, while Fr Anselmo and Fr Francis sustained minor injuries in the mishap. Fr Russel escaped unharmed. The two injured priests were shifted for treatment at the GMC hospital in Bambolim. After formalities, the body of the woman was handed over to the family for final rites.
“I contacted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and he extended all possible help by coordinating with authorities across the border,” acknowledged Fr Fernandes.
An FIR was registered at the Banda police station and efforts were on to locate the other vehicle involved in the mishap.
