The unofficial death toll stands at 3 and latest information from the KHMH is that 10 BDF personnel and a child are at the hospital receiving treatment after a deadly collision between an army truck and a motorcycle this afternoon on the Western Highway. Our information is that BDF truck was heading west in the direction of Belmopan and the motorbike was heading east when they collided at mile 10 in front of the Almond Hill Obsession. It's the worst accident that we've encountered since January 20th 2003 and our team of Alfonso Noble and Keith Swift are just back with this report. We warn you there was major impact and it is a graphic scene.
Keith Swift Reporting, Email - [keithkswift@gmail.com]
7NEWS was the first news crew on the scene and in the middle of mile 10 on the Western Highway where there was a human torso and an arm and here we see a woman's body. There were these chicken and other army rations scattered, and in the bushes here is a basketball. And then there is the mangled remains of a motorbike and a wrecked BDF truck. This was all that's left after the motorbike and truck collided this afternoon in front of the Almond Hill Bar. Kevin Castillo was working nearby and heard the collision.
Kevin Castillo, Witness
"We were working on top of a roof and I just came out when I heard the bag and moved the vehicle from on top of the people and help put some people in vehicles so they could be taken to the hospital."
Keith Swift,
When you came out what did you see?
Kevin Castillo,
"Well I just saw the BDF ration vehicle on top of some people, about 3 different people, a baby, a lady, and another white one. Three dead and one went to the hospital just now."
Keith Swift,
You said you heard the collision?
Kevin Castillo,
"Yea I heard because I was on the roof when it happened and I told my bally that it was an accident and ran out to see what it was and that is when we found the people underneath the vehicle and we just pushed over the vehicle and tried to help the people. The guy on the motorbike, he was in half actually: his foot was by the vehicle and his hand was little up more from the motorcycle."
Keith Swift,
Kevin have you ever seen anything like this?
Kevin Castillo,
"No I've never seen anything like this."
Alfonso Noble,
You think you'll be able to sleep after seeing this?
Kevin Castillo,
"I will try. I wonder if I could eat too but I'll try."
The unofficial death toll is 3 dead on the scene including the man on the motorbike, a female, and a young child. 11 more victims were transported to the hospital, and we are told at least one of them in serious condition. The accident brought traffic on the western artery to a standstill, nobody could pass and that included former Prime Minister George Price who was stranded in this Lincoln Navigator. And while Price sat in the vehicle, his chauffeur Winston Smiling used his unchecked access to the scene to take pictures. The police were also taking pictures and due to the early stage of the investigation. Officer in Charge of Hattieville Police Sergeant Chris Noble would only say this.
Sgt. Chris Noble, Hattieville Police
"Basically what we have is a very serious accident. We have confirmed that one of them is a military vehicle and the other vehicle of course is a motorcycle. We can't as yet release names but we have multiple fatalities in this accident but numbers I cannot give, it's more than two. On the ground we have at least three. We have two adults and a child."
Keith Swift,
Do you have an idea at this point of what transpired?
Sgt. Chris Noble,
"No but our investigations are continuing."
Again the latest information from the KHMH is that there are 10 BDF personnel admitted for treatment and one child. The hospital is not releasing their condition. Police are also not releasing the names of the victims so as to allow family notification.
