MARGAO
Even as the death toll in the Hordem-Balli NH-66 road accident rose to two with the death of a male person, police investigations have revealed that members of the 12-member family had taken a lift on the ill-fated mini-truck from Mangaluru to proceed to Kolhapur in Maharashtra.
The 29-year old vehicle driver Rakesh Gore, a native of Ratnagiri, has been arrested by the Cuncolim police for carrying the passengers in an unauthorised way and endangering their lives. He has also been book for driving in a rash and negligent manner under the influence of liquor after he is alleged to have consumed alcohol after the vehicle entered Goa.
A total of seven persons, including five children are still undergoing treatment at the South Goa district hospital and the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.
Cuncolim police station in-charge PI Diogo Gracias informed that the Maharashtra registered mini-truck was carrying a consignment of cashew nuts from Mangaluru for delivery at Kolhapur. “At Mangaluru, the 12-member family stuck a deal with the vehicle driver to drop them at Kolhapur on payment of Rs 5000”, PI Diogo said.
When the vehicle reached near Paik Temple, Hordem-Balli on the NH-66, the loaded goods carrier plunged into a storm water drain, turned turtle after and rammed against a retaining of the bridge.
While Hakku Sathaliya was declared brought dead at the Balli Primary Health Centre, Devraj Sathaliya succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the South Goa district hospital.
PI Diogo said the truck driver carried the passengers in his good carrier for his personal gain after having knowledge that he should not carry passengers in a goods carrier vehicle. “When the vehicle entered Goa the accused got off and consumed alcohol knowingly that his act can risk the lives of the passengers, and further drove the vehicle under the influence of alcohol in a rash and negligent manner while proceeding from Canacona towards Margao”, he added.
