Report from George D'Souza, Orlem, Malad through Rons Bantwal for Daijiworld News Network
Mumbai, Jan 16: Two senior priests of the Bombay archdiocese had met an accident on January 6, and one of them Fr. Thomas Kuruvilla, 57, parish priest of St. Blaise Church, Amboli and director of Diocesan Estates, has succumbed to the head injuries.
The other priest Fr Salvador Rodrigues, 57, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes church, Orlem, had also suffered serious injuries. He is being treated in the Holy Spirit hospital, Andheri east.
While returning from Goa on January 6, around 2 pm Fr Thomas, who was driving the Toyota Qualis, lost control of the vehicle near Sangameshwar village, Ratnagiri. The vehicle hit a tree and tumbled down into a nearby paddy field. Villagers reported rushed to the spot at once and took both the injured priests to Sangameshwar rural hospital.
Father Salvador was brought to Mumbai for further treatment, but Fr. Thomaswho was in a coma with head injuries was shifted to Kolhapur hospital and was operated upon to remove a blood clot in the brain. His condition further deteriorated and he died on Sunday, January 15. Both priests are said to have been close friends.
Father Kuruvilla, ordained on Arpril 13, 1985, was a great personality and had a responsible position in the diocese. His tragic death has sent shock waves among the parishioners and the whole diocese.
Earlier reports: