Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik sustained grievous injuries while his wife Vijaya Naik (55) died after the car they were travelling turned turtle near Hosakambi checkpost in Anikola taluk on Monday evening. The minister's secretary Deepak Gume also died in the accident.
The minister had visited "Gante Ganapathi" temple near Yallapura and was on his way to Gokarna. The accident occurred after the driver lost control over the vehicle.
While Vijaya died on the way to Ankola hospital, the minister was shifted to Goa by an ambulance after first aid. Four persons sustained injuries in the accident. Legislator Rupali Naika, Superintendent of Police Shivaprakash Devaraju visited the spot.
All the occupants, including the driver, were taken out of the wreckage of the car, which was badly damaged.
Visuals from the site showed Naik being shifted in an ambulance in an unconscious state. As the ambulance entered Goa, the state police escorted it to the GMCH.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant arrived at the GMCH before the ambulance reached the government-run hospital where medical specialists were ready to treat Naik, who is also the junior defence minister.
After holding preliminary discussions with doctors, including Dean of GMCH Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Sawant took the physicians in his car to the ambulance, which was on the way to the hospital, for providing immediate attention to Naik.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sawant and asked him to ensure proper medical treatment for the minister, the sources said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Sawant about speedy medical treatment to the BJP MP from North Goa.
Published 11 January 2021, 16:46 IST