A 65-year-old tourist from Bhopal died when a rented Mahindra Thar SUV hit the back of his family's hatchback at Happy Bar junction in Assagao, North Goa, on Monday, police said. Bhagatram Sharma, who was travelling in a Hyundai i20 with his family, was declared dead at the scene due to injuries from the crash. Two other people in the car were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. It is further reported that they are stable, stated NDTV.
A five-month-old baby in the car escaped without any injuries. Police said the Mahindra Thar involved in the crash was a rented vehicle. Eyewitnesses claimed that the people in the Thar tried to change seats right after the accident.
Also Read | India to roll out free HPV vaccine for 14-year-old girls nationwide
What’s still unclear?
Videos circulating online show a man in the Thar speaking on the phone, saying, “Papa, I was at the intersection…” audible before his voice fades, while three women sit in the back seats of the damaged SUV. The situation reportedly became tense as locals accused the Thar’s occupants of trying to protect the driver, allegedly a woman, from taking responsibility.
The footage also shows one side of the hatchback completely crushed. Police have seized the rented SUV and filed a case of rash and negligent driving causing death. Officers are investigating the claims of a possible 'driver switch'.
Probe underway
Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the junction to find out who was driving the Thar during the crash. The SUV remains in police custody. The two injured family members are receiving treatment, and the five-month-old infant is under medical observation as a precaution.
Also Read | DGCA grounds four VSR Ventures aircraft after Baramati crash; all you need to know
Police said the investigation will examine forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts and video footage to determine the full circumstances of the collision.
