Meghalaya: Tragic Accident Claims Priest, 3 Nuns, a Teacher and Driver’s Lives

Verghese V Joseph –

In a tragic incident, a priest, three sisters, a teacher and the driver died when their vehicle met with a fatal accident in Meghalaya.

The deceased are Fr Mathew Das who was a Parish Priest of Barama Parish of Meghalaya, besides Srs. Magrine Dantes, Promila Tirkey, Rossie Nongrum Marian (a teacher) and driver. They were on the way to Shillong.

The deceased nuns belong to the Northeastern region of the Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima, Pune.

The accident took place in Sumer, Ri Bhoi District of Meghalaya when a truck carrying cement was heading towards Guwahati, on reaching Sumer, the driver lost control of the steering and jumped the divider hitting the Bolero which was coming on the opposite lane killing all six occupants on the spot.

Barama is a town in the Baksa district of neighboring Assam state and some 160 km northwest of Sumer. The bodies have been taken to Nongpho Civil hospital for autopsy.

Earlier, Bishop of Bongaigaon Thomas Pullopillil, broke the shocking news about the tragic incident. “With great sadness, I wish to inform that you that Fr. Mathew Das, parish priest of Barama parish along with three sisters of the Fatima convent in Barama and Baganpara and a teacher of Barama St. John’s HS School, and driver met with a fatal accident on the way to Shillong near Nongpoh in Meghalaya and died on the spot. Sister Melagrine Dantes, Promila Tirkey, Rossie Nongrum, Mairan (a teacher), and the driver are the deceased along with Fr. Mathew,” he said.

According to Allen Brooks, Spokesperson, Assam Christian Forum has expressed it deep pain at this tragic loss of innocent lives due to reckless driving. The Forum has also asked the Meghalaya Government for a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and compensation be paid to the victims.

The ACF has further extended its deep condolences to the bereaved families at the loss of their loved ones, including the Diocese of Bongaigoan and the Fatima Sisters Congregation.

Born on February 10, 1970, Father Das was ordained a priest on November 20, 2005. The Barama parish began as a mission in 1985 under the diocese of Tezpur. It manages St. John’s Higher Secondary School and a boys’ hostel.

The Fatima nuns manage a girls’ hostel, a vocational training center and a dispensary in the parish.