Toyota Fortuner Gets Stuck In Sea After Valet Tries To Wash It On Vagator Beach, Goa [Video]
In India, most beaches are restricted for vehicles, but we often see videos where tourists and locals have fun driving their vehicles in such areas. They often get into trouble with the authorities too. While everyone is aware that such acts are illegal, they still continue to do them for one reason or another.
We have now come across a video on social media where a Toyota Fortuner SUV that was taken onto a beach in Goa for a wash got caught in high tide and was swept away.
The video has been circulating on the internet since yesterday and is available on multiple social media platforms. In the initial reports, it was said that the car belonged to a tourist from Gujarat who drove it onto the beach and got stuck in the sand.
When the tide rose, the Fortuner was swept away. However, by evening, we got clarity on what actually happened. The car did belong to a tourist from Gujarat who was visiting Vagator in Goa. When the guest arrived, they handed over the car keys to the hotel staff and asked them to get the vehicle cleaned or washed.
The hotel staff decided to make things adventurous and took the car to the beach to wash it. However, things did not go as planned. The car was probably parked too close to the water, and the staff did not realise that the tide was rising. As the SUV was parked on wet sand, the Fortuner sank, and when the driver tried to move it, the vehicle did not budge.
Soon, the tide came in and the SUV was swept away. In the video, we can see people trying hard to recover the vehicle from the sea. They first brought in a Toyota Hilux, but the Fortuner was stuck so badly that the Hilux could not pull it out.
Later, a backhoe loader, or JCB as people commonly call it, was brought to the spot and managed to pull the Fortuner out. Almost half of the SUV was submerged in salt water, and the damage was clearly visible when the owner opened the door after recovery. The cabin was filled with water, which likely damaged the engine and electrical components of the vehicle.
For those who are unaware, salt water is highly corrosive in nature and can damage metal body panels, electrical wiring, and several other components of a vehicle.
The engine of the vehicle is likely waterlogged, and if you ever find yourself in such a situation, ensure that you do not attempt to start the vehicle. Doing so can cause further damage. Instead, the vehicle should be transported to the nearest service centre on a flatbed and thoroughly inspected before use.
Driving on beaches in India is illegal, and the only beach that legally allows driving is Muzhappilangad Beach in Kerala. In the past, authorities have taken action against tourists who drove their vehicles illegally on beaches across the country. It is not clear whether the hotel staff involved in this incident will face any action.
Also, never wash your vehicle using salt water, as it does more harm than good. If you ever drive a vehicle on a beach, ensure that you give it a proper wash with fresh water afterwards to prevent saltwater damage.