Union minister of State for defence Shripad Yesso Naik was seriously injured and his wife Vijaya died in a road accident in Karnataka’s Ankola on Monday evening.

Naik’s wife, who suffered serious injuries in the accident, was rushed to the hospital, where she 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.