Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik suffered injuries and his wife Vijaya died when the car they were travelling in met with an accident in Karnataka's Ankola on Monday evening. Naik's wife suffered serious injuries in the accident and was rushed to the hospital. She, however, succumbed to her injuries. The Union minister's personal assistant also died in the road accident.
"The personal assistant of Union Minister Shripad Naik also died in the accident," Shivprakash Devaraju, SP of Uttara Kannada said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ensure proper arrangements for the treatment of Union Minister Shripad Naik, at Goa.
Initial reports say that the Toyota Innova, in which the Union minister and his wife were travelling, was speeding when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The SUV skidded off the road and overturned into a ditch.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed shock over the incident and wished Naik a speedy recovery.
"Shocked to know that the car which Union Minister Shripad Naik ji was travelling met with an accident in Uttara Kannada and the death of his wife. My heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Smt Naik and prayers for the speedy recovery of Shri Naik and those injured," Karnakata CM BS Yediyurappa said in his tweet.
More details are awaited.