NT Reporter
Vasco
A 62-year-old motorcyclist was killed and another rider sustained minor injuries after a roadside tree collapsed onto the road
at Matve, Dabolim, on Wednesday morning. Traffic
on the stretch was disrupted for nearly one-and-a-half hours.
The accident took place at around 9.15 am near St Anthony’s Chapel.
According to Vasco Police, Francisco Nunes, a resident of Headland, Sada-Mormugao, was riding from Cortalim towards Vasco when a large wild tree standing on the hillside beside the highway suddenly toppled onto the road.
Nunes was directly beneath the tree when it fell and was crushed along with his motorcycle.
Another motorcyclist, Nilesh Gawde (37) of Ponda, who was travelling on the same road slightly ahead of Nunes, was struck by a portion of the falling tree. He sustained minor injuries.
Personnel from the Vasco Fire and Emergency Services and the police rushed to the spot after receiving information about the accident. Nunes, who was trapped beneath the tree, and Gawde were taken to Chicalim Sub-District Hospital, where doctors declared Nunes dead. Gawde was given first aid and later discharged.
The fallen tree blocked the busy road, resulting in a major traffic jam.
Nunes’ body was shifted to the Margao District Hospital mortuary for further procedures.
Following the incident, residents said several other trees on the hillside near the accident site are in a dangerous condition. They said the authorities should remove or secure such trees to prevent similar
incidents.
Sub-Inspector Plato Carvalho of Vasco Police is investigating the case.
