An accident was reported yesterday (February 18, 2006) along the main CHOGM Road at Sangolda, our neighbouring village. While driving to Panjim for the weekly outing, Riza (7) and myself noticed the mishap. Later at night, we learnt from Goanetter Cip Fernandes of Arpora that the mishap had killed the parish priest of Nagoa-Arpora (which earlier used to be Saligao's church too, till a little over a 130 years ago). Now, the newspapers have reported that Robert Menezes (40) was also injured in the accident.

Below is a summary put out on today's Goanet News Bytes.

It says: Parish priest of the Holy Trinity Church Nagoa-Arpora Fr Joao Vincent Gonsalves was killed when he was knocked down by a Maruti van at Sangolda on Saturday evening. The 60-year-old priest was proceeding towards Porvorim on his motorcycle. He suffered serious head injuries, and declared dead on admission at the GMC. The van was driven by Sidhi Togari of New Vaddem, Vasco, after dashing the bike also hit an oncoming Maruti Zen car and a Vespa scooter. Robert Menezes (40) of Saligao, who was riding the scooter, was also seriously injured in the collision. (H)