Tractor Crushes M.I.D.H. Employee Heading to Work
There were a series of fatal road traffic accidents that took place over the weekend. One of the victims was Derrick Banner, a tractor operator with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. A release on the Ministry’s Facebook page states that Banner was on his way to San Antonio Village, Cayo early Saturday morning to take part in a community clean-up when he apparently lost control of the tractor while on a steep hill. The heavy-duty piece of equipment toppled over and Banner suffered severe injuries. He was pronounced dead that same morning. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Fitzroy Yearwood told reporters today that police vehicle inspectors will be able to determine what exactly could have caused the mishap after they have completed inspecting the tractor.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department
“Around six-fifteen a.m., police officers visited the Cristo Rey Road near the Monkey Falls Hill, Cayo. They saw a man on the edge of the highway, later identified as Derrick Banner, thirty years old. Not too far from where they found Banner, they saw a John Deere tractor that was overturned. Initial investigations revealed that Banner was driving from San Ignacio Town to Cristo Rey Village when he lost control of that tractor and the tractor overturned, causing him some serious body injuries. He succumbed around seven –forty, while receiving treatment at the San Ignacio Hospital. Of course we’re still investigating this accident because it may have been caused by some form of mechanical error.”