PANAJI: A man lost his life and two others sustained injuries on Christmas Day after a boat overturned at Goa’s Calangute beach. Lifeguards rushed to rescue the tourists and managed to successfully bring the passengers back to the shore. The passengers included two young girls, one aged five years.
According to officials, the water sports boat capsized just before noon due to rough seas, tossing all the passengers into the sea. Reports indicate that one of the passengers, a man from Khed, was hit by the boat’s hull and trapped under the overturned vessel.
“We went out to sea for a boat ride. The boat did not seem to be balanced, and after going a little ahead, it completely tipped over. Thirteen members of our family came for a holiday and went for the boat ride,” said the victim’s wife.
According to the woman and other passengers, all the adult passengers were given life vests before boarding the small boat.
“They promised to give the five-year-old girl a lifejacket, but when we got into the boat, they did not give the child a life jacket,” the victim’s wife said.
Some sources claim the boat engine suddenly stopped, and the vessel operator lost directional control. Goa Police has commenced an investigation into the incident.
Lifeguards administered first aid to seven of the passengers on the beach, including administering CPR and oxygen. Five of the injured, including two children and two women, were rushed to the Candolim health centre and then admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, for further treatment.
With authorities on high alert because of the high tourist footfalls, there were 4-5 ambulances that arrived on the spot within minutes to provide medical assistance.