Tragedy at St Estevam. Rent-a-car plunges into river.

1st September 2024:- Tragedy at St Estevam (Juve), Dhauji (Old Goa) Ferry Terminal. Rent-a-car plunges into river.


Two friends native of Gujarat, drown in river at St Estevam, after the rent-a cab they hired, plunged into the river from Dhauji ferry ramp in the wee hours of Sunday.


The incident occurred at around 1:15am on Sunday 1st September. A 22 years old businessman Bashudev Bhandari from Bharuch - Gujarat, along with his girlfriend Ms patel from Unjha - Gujarat and a student of Goa Institute of Management, Sanqueli Goa, were traveling to Calangute Baga via Panjim from Sankhali in rent a cab Swift car. On the way, He slightly hit one Sedan car in Marcel - Orgao. But they did not stop and continued travelling towards Panjim. He then drove off in a panic, with that Sedan car chasing behind till ferry ramp for not stopping despite the accident, which lead him to drove off the river. Both managed to come out of the car before the car started sinking. The girl managed to swim back to safety while the boy remains missing. Bhandari is feared to have drowned. Immediately, girl student met the locals, who later contacted the Old Goa police.Police on hunt for the vehicle which was chasing them.


After the information was received about the accident, Old Goa police, Indian Navy divers, personnel from the directorate of fire and emergency and coastal police jointly roped into search & recuse operation. But they could only locate the car 25m away from ferry point. But still full- scale search operation is on to find Bashudev Bhandari.