Busses collide, one runs into Belize River

What could have been a major emergency when two buses collided and one wound up in the Belize River, somehow resulted in only minor injuries Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred shortly before three o’clock p.m. at mile eight and a half in front of the Brazilian Consulate. Witnesses told News Five a car coming from Ladyville had stopped to make a left turn into the consulate and a Blazer stopped behind it to wait. A Novelo’s bus traveling in the same direction however, decided to try and overtake the two vehicles on the curve, trying to pass them on the right hand side. At the same time an Urbina’s bus was rounding the curve in the opposite direction. The two buses collided and the Urbina’s bus ran off the road onto the shoulder on the same side as the consulate. Then, still out of control, crossed the highway and drove into the river. The driver Eliciano Chan and his conductor were injured and passengers had to scramble up a steep incline to exit from the rear of the bus. At least six passenger seats wound up underwater. Miraculously most of the passengers escaped unhurt although police say about ten people had to be treated for minor injuries at the Karl Heusner Memorial. Chan is still hospitalized in a stable condition. The driver of the Novelo’s bus, Jesus Catzim, who complained of chest pains was also taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and later released.