The collision between a horse-drawn cart and a jeep in the Santa Rita area of Granma province on Tuesday night ended in tragedy after causing a severe injury to a young man involved in the shocking accident, who lost his life shortly afterward in the hospital, as confirmed by official sources and witnesses of the incident.
The young man, identified as Yunier, was one of the passengers in the jeep and became trapped in the vehicle after a metal tube from the cart pierced his body, several posts on social media reported.
Moments of despair and anguish were experienced after the collision when, amidst the darkness, residents of the town were trying to free the injured person by cutting the metal tube that had pierced their body, while local doctors provided first aid.
The doctors Julio Longo, surgeon, and Nordanis [Osorio Rodríguez], anesthetist, who live in the area of the accident, provided vital support to the injured person, revealed in his Facebook profile the also doctor Rafael José Sánchez Vázquez, from Bayamo.
The images captured by witnesses documented the dramatic moments in which a group of neighbors and medical personnel did everything possible to save the young man's life.
When they finally managed to get him out of the vehicle, Yunier was urgently transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital, but unfortunately, he did not survive the serious injuries.
The tragic event was initially reported by internet users on social media, with videos documenting the extraordinary efforts to rescue the young man.
The page La Tijera identified him by his first name and shared photos of him during his life, during the rescue efforts, and when he was being loaded into the ambulance.
The Facebook profile of the Granma Citizen Portal, affiliated with the provincial government, confirmed the death in a brief note: “Fatal accident in Santa Rita, Granma. A jeep collided with a dark 'carretón'. We are following up on this information! As far as we know, 1 deceased!”
So far, the provincial authorities have not provided any additional information about the fatal traffic accident. The causes that triggered it are unknown, as well as whether any other individuals were injured.
The circulation of animal-drawn carts without lights during nighttime on the roads of Cuba continues to raise significant concern among drivers of other vehicles and the general population due to the dangers they pose. Accidents involving carts are common, both in rural and urban areas throughout the country, and a common pattern emerges: the coexistence of motorized vehicles and animal-drawn transport on roads lacking proper signage, lighting, and adequate conditions.
Traffic accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death and serious injuries in Cuba. Between January and August of this year, 502 people lost their lives in road accidents. This figure represents 80% of the fatalities from this cause for all of 2024, indicating an increase in mortality due to traffic incidents.
According to data from the National Road Safety Commission, there were victims in seven out of ten incidents that occurred during that period, primarily due to the crash between vehicles, which continues to be the "most dangerous" accident, accounting for 36% of all fatalities.
The province Granma is experiencing one of the most critical situations, along with Villa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, and Artemisa, as in the first eight months of 2025, accidents in those areas increased by more than a third compared to the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Accident in Granma and Road Safety in Cuba
What happened in the traffic accident in Santa Rita, Granma?
The accident occurred when a jeep collided with a horse-drawn cart in Santa Rita, Granma. The young man Yunier, one of the passengers in the jeep, lost his life after being trapped by a metal tube from the cart that became embedded in his body. Despite the efforts of local doctors to save him, Yunier passed away due to his severe injuries.
What are the common causes of traffic accidents in Cuba?
In Cuba, traffic accidents are common and are mainly due to a combination of factors such as the poor condition of the roads, the technical shortcomings of the vehicles, and reckless driving. These factors, along with the lack of signage and adequate safety measures, increase the risk of road incidents.
Why does the province of Granma have a high number of accidents?
The province of Granma, along with others such as Villa Clara and Santiago de Cuba, reports a high number of accidents due to an increase in the number of incidents compared to previous years. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of adequate infrastructure and the deterioration of the roads, which contributes to the high traffic accident rate in the region.
What measures are being taken to improve road safety in Cuba?
Despite the seriousness of the situation, no effective measures have been reported by the Cuban government to address road safety issues. The combination of traditional and modern transport vehicles without proper regulation remains a significant challenge on the country's roads.
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