Couple Seriously Injured During RTA Near Hattieville

A couple is tonight admitted at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a stable condition following a traffic accident on Monday night on the George Price Highway. A Ford Escape SUV in which Jefferson and Carmela Dawson were travelling crashed into a freight liner near Mile Twelve. In the impact, the SUV ended under the heavy-duty vehicle and the couple was trapped inside. The driver of the freight liner was fortunate to escape unhurt, but the couple’s SUV was extensively damaged. Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Jefferson Dawson and his wife, Carmela are lucky to be alive following a traffic accident on the George Price Highway on Monday night. Just after eight p.m., as the couple was traveling in their Ford Escape SUV towards Belmopan from Belize City, they slammed into the side of a freight liner truck that was reportedly reversing into the Softy Caribbean Toilet Paper Factory between miles twelve and thirteen on the highway. Officers attached to the Hattieville Police Station were on the scene soon after. Deputy Officer Commanding, Sergeant Orlando Cruz, says that the officers immediately got into action in an effort to preserve life.

Orlando Cruz

Sgt. Orlando Cruz, Deputy O.C., Hattieville Police

“Two persons were trapped inside; a male and a female, were trapped inside. We quickly made efforts to have the female removed from the vehicle. She had abrasions to the right arm and forehead and left side of face. The male person was trapped inside of the vehicle and we made efforts to have the male person taken out of the vehicle with the help of the fire department, other personnel in the area. The ambulance arrived and we took him out safely and he was transported to Belize City for medical attention at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.”

Firefighters as well as emergency medical technicians from BERT had to be called in to stabilize the victims after they were taken out of the extensively damaged vehicle. Fire Chief, Ted Smith, was on his way to Belize City when he came up on the accident and rendered assistance.

Ted Smith

Ted Smith, Fire Chief, National Fire Service

“There was a lot of people out here, the police was already here and the fire department was already on their way. On their arrival, we immediately got into operation. Prior to their arrival, I assisted by just using my vehicle to pull the vehicle from under to release the pressure from the individual that was still trapped and fastened underneath the trailer. So I just used the pressure that I was in to pull it to release the pressure off his upper body. On arrival of the fire department we used the horse rescue equipment with the team that came on the truck to extricate the casualty by cutting away the A and B posts and peeling it back and creating an opening. BERT along with us, BERT worked hand in hand in stabilizing the patient, providing medical aid for the patient. We extricated the casualty and transported the person to the K.H.M.H. This is just one of our responsibilities. The department is trained to deal with situation like this. Situation like this is not a quick fast and hurry situation; it takes time and care to get it done effectively. And you want to do it as efficient as possible, but you also want to do it as effective as possible to cause little or as less harm as possible to the casualty.”

Dawson and his wife received various degrees of injuries to the body and are currently in a stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. All relevant statements have not been recorded and the driver of the freight liner, Angle Enrique Lopez, has since been served with a notice of intended prosecution.

Sgt. Orlando Cruz

“Presently we are also, we did a sketch of the scene and persons were removed and we presently have recorded statements from the driver of the freightliner, who is a resident of Belize City. Miss Dawson, Miss Carmela Dawson, who was along with her husband, had received injuries. She was taken to the hospital as well. The driver of the freight liner did not receive any injury. Presently, we have recorded statements and a NIP was served on the driver of the freight liner in respect of this accident.”

Duane Moody for News Five.

The couple was traveling from Belize City to their home in San Ignacio.