Vagator, Goa: A luxury SUV belonging to a tourist from Ahmedabad was nearly lost to the Arabian Sea at Vagator Beach early morning after a hotel staff member’s unconventional car-washing method resulted in the vehicle becoming submerged during high tide

The Incident The owner of the black Toyota Fortuner, a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was staying at a hotel in the Anjuna-Vagator area
According to reports, the owner had returned to the hotel after a party and handed over his car keys to a hotel caretaker.
He reportedly provided the staff member with money for a professional car wash and even gave him a tip for the service.

However, instead of taking the vehicle to a standard washing center, the staff member took the SUV directly onto the sands of Vagator Beach between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM. Armed with only a bucket and a mug, the staff member intended to use seawater to clean the vehicle.

Gujarat passing Fortuner SUV (GJ01WY0090) of Ahmedabad based owner stayed in news in Goa through Sunday. A Toyota Fortuner of Gujarati tourist nearly swept away and got stuck during high tide at Vagator Beach after hotel staff tried washing it with seawater early morning. Attempt… pic.twitter.com/mdFc2Wk9K4

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) March 22, 2026

High Tide Crisis The situation turned critical as the staff member drove the car further toward the water, unaware of the incoming high tide. Within a short time, the Fortuner became stuck in the wet sand. As the tide rose, water levels surged, eventually reaching the height of the car’s door handles.

Rescue and Detention The sight of the sinking SUV prompted immediate action from local residents and tourists at the beach. The Anjuna Police were notified and arrived at the scene to coordinate a rescue operation. After significant effort and the deployment of a JCB machine, the vehicle was successfully pulled from the surf.

The Goa Police have since taken custody of the Gujarat-registered vehicle, which is currently parked at the Anjuna Police Station. The hotel staff member responsible for the incident has been detained, and legal proceedings are currently underway. Local authorities continue to warn tourists and staff against driving vehicles onto Goa’s beaches, citing both environmental concerns and the extreme physical risks posed by the tides. DeshGujarat