From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Margao, Nov 14: A tanker carrying LPG Gas on Monday caught fire after it swerved off the road and fell into a 20-metre-deep gorge at Karmalghat-Canacona. Gopal Raj (40), the driver of the tanker, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, succumbed to the burn injuries.

According the Cuncolim Police, the tanker was carrying 12 thousand-KL LPG gas from Banglore to Binani Factory in North Goa. When it reached Karmalghat, seeing a sharp turn ahead the driver applied brakes. While the cabin came to a standstill, the rear trolley of the tanker moved and slipped into the gorge.

However, Raju Venkatraman (60), the cleaner, managed to come out of the cabin, but While the driver could not. The mishap took place early Monday at 4.00 am. Soon the Cuncolim Police received the message and they rushed to spot.

Fire brigades from Ponda, Sanvordem, Verna, Margao and Canacona were called to the spot to extinguish the fire.

As a result of the fire, coconut and several other trees in the vicinity perished, causing a loss of lacs of rupees.

Cuncolim Police PI Siddhant Shirodkar is investigating the case.