POINGUINNIM: In a tragic incident, the assistant parish priest of Mae de Pobres Church, Nuvem, Fr Thomas Fernandes died after saving five picnickers from drowning at Galgibaga beach in Canacona taluka on Sunday.

Reports said that around 63 youths of Nuvem parish had gone for a picnic to Galgibaga beach on Sunday along with Fr Fernandes. After playing for a while on the sands, some of the youths ventured into the sea for a swim. But five of these were dragged away by a strong drift current, and soon they were struggling for life.
On seeing the youths drowning, Fr Fernandes rushed into the water to rescue them. He managed to rescue all five of the drowning parishioners, one by one, but unfortunately he was so exhausted after rescuing the five youths that he collapsed on the seashore.
He was immediately rushed to the Canacona community health centre, where he was declared dead on arrival. After conducting the panchanama, the Canacona police sent the body of the priest to the Hospicio Hospital, Margao, for the autopsy. A case of unnatural death under section 174 of CrPC has been registered.
Later, three of the rescued youths began to complain of indisposition and were admitted to the Canacona primary health centre, and were later discharged after treatment. Sources informed that Fr Fernandes was to celebrate the feast mass at Our Lady of Fatima Chapel at Ardofond, Canancona, on May 13.