ANKOLA: Union Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik seriously wounded while his wife and a close aide died when the SUV they were travelling in overturned after the driver lost control.
Naik’s wife Vijaya sustained fatal head injuries and succumbed to the injuries on her way to a hospital in Ankola. Another person, who is said to be a close aide of the Minister, also died in a government hospital.
After preliminary medical care in a private hospital at Ankola, Union Minister Naik was brought to Goa Medical College. He was reported to be in stable condition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to learn about Naik’s condition and ensure necessary treatment. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his shock and grief over the incident.
Union Minister Naik and family had gone to visit Gante Ganapati Temple at Yellapur on Monday morning. After performing Puja at the temple, they proceeded to Gokarna in the evening.
Minister’s car was rerouted from National Highway-66 to a sub-road. However, the sub-road was in a very bad shape. The driver lost control over the vehicle, which violently overturned.
