PANAJI
Union Minister of State for Defence and AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik suffered multiple fractures while his wife Vijaya and private secretary Deepak Ramdada Gome died in a tragic accident when the car they were travelling in turned turtle near Hillur-Hosakambi village in Ankola taluka of Karnataka’s Uttar Kannada district on Monday evening.
The five-term MP had left Goa on Monday for a pilgrimage tour by road and was reportedly heading to Gokarna after paying obeisance at the Ganapati temple in Yellapur.
Shocking images emerged of the vehicle, which was left in a mangled mess. Although the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, Naik's wife Vijaya was declared brought dead, reports said. His personal secretary Gome also succumbed to his injuries.
Naik’s condition is said to be stable and he was shifted to Goa Medical College after preliminary treatment in Ankola.
Naik and four of his family members had visited the Gante Ganapati temple at Yellapur in the morning and later proceeded to Gokarna at around 7pm.
The shortcut road they took to reach to Gokarna was in very bad condition and the driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle and the car is said to have turned upside down.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant rushed towards Karnataka with a team of doctors after knowing about the accident. He met the ambulance mid way as doctors checked the condition of the union minister.
CM's vehicle later accompanied the ambulance carrying Naik to GMC, where large number of people had gathered. Several ministers and MLAs & his close relatives reached GMC to see Naik.
In the aftermath of the horrific incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant asking him to ensure that Naik receives immediate and proper medical care.
Similarly, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also called CM Sawant requesting him to ensure the best treatment for Naik and if need be, to fly him to Delhi for medical attention. Naik holds the charge as Minister of State for Defence.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa took to Twitter to express anguish and offer condolences. “Shocked to know that the car which Union Minister Shripad Naik ji was travelling met with an accident in Uttara Kannada and the death of his wife. My heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Smt Naik and prayers for the speedy recovery of Shri Naik and those injured,” he tweeted from his official handle.
Former minister Suresh Prabhu also condoled the 2 untimely deaths and tweeted, "Extremely saddened by news of accident to our long time family friend Shripad Y Naik and unfortunate death of his wife and fellow traveller. Om Shanti! Wishing speedy recovery to Shripad ji,he had only recently recovered from Covid, being hospitalised for long. Get well soon!
Former CM and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, former South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and Fatorda MLA Viaji Sardesai were among the political leaders from Goa to offer condolences to the bereaved family.
