Vagator, Goa: A tourist’s luxury Toyota Fortuner almost disappeared into the Arabian Sea early Tuesday morning due to an unusual car wash attempt by hotel staff. The vehicle, belonging to a guest from Ahmedabad, became stuck in wet sand at Vagator Beach as high tide surged.
The incident occurred shortly after the owner returned from a party and handed over his keys to a caretaker at a local hotel. He paid for what he thought would be a professional car wash and even tipped the staff member. However, instead of taking it to a proper washing facility, the staffer decided it was best to wash the SUV directly on the beach.
Between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM, armed with just a bucket and mug, he drove the Fortuner onto Vagator’s sandy shores intending to use seawater for cleaning. But as he moved closer to the water, high tide crept in unnoticed. Within moments, water levels rose alarmingly, reaching up to the car’s door handles while it remained ensnared in soft sand.
The alarming sight caught the attention of nearby beachgoers who quickly alerted local authorities. The Anjuna Police arrived swiftly and organized a rescue operation that included deploying heavy machinery like a JCB excavator. After considerable effort, they managed to pull the SUV from danger.
Currently parked at Anjuna Police Station, this Gujarat-registered vehicle is now under police custody while investigations are ongoing. Authorities have detained the hotel staff member responsible for driving onto the beach amidst warnings against such actions due to environmental hazards and tidal dangers.