4 killed after SUV falls into river in Goa

Panaji, July 28

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Three members of a family were among four people who were killed after an SUV they were travelling in fell into the Zuari river in south Goa district in the wee hours of Thursday, an official said.

The accident took place at around 1 am.

On Thursday morning, Navy divers traced the SUV on the river bed and located the bodies three hours later at around 11.30 am, an official said.

“Rescuers had to cut the SUV’s doors to retrieve the bodies,” he said, adding that a boat from the state river navigation department was used to bring the SUV ashore.

The SUV had tried to overtake a car over the Zuari river bridge located on a national highway between Margao (south Goa) and Panaji cities at Cortalim village, about 15 km from Panaji.

It rammed into the bridge railings and plunged into the river, police said.

The deceased included a man, his wife, brother and a common friend from Loutolim village in south Goa who were on their way to Panaji, an official said.

A massive search and rescue operation involving personnel from the Navy, Coast Guard, police, and state fire and emergency services was launched soon after the accident.

The operation had to stop in the night due to darkness.

“We have learnt that the victims had a party in their village on Wednesday night and they left the place to go to Panaji at around 12.30 am,” the official said.