Related videos:
A tragic traffic accident that occurred on the Siboney road in Santiago de Cuba has resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl and several injuries.
The incident occurred on the hill of La Guásima, an area known for its steep slopes and recognized danger by the residents.
The vehicle involved was transporting several passengers, including minors.
According to eyewitnesses quoted by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, the driver suddenly lost control of the car and the vehicle "tumbled down the hill, rolling over multiple times."
The scene, described as chaotic, left the occupants exposed to a violent and disorderly impact. The exact number of injured has not been disclosed.
Two teenagers were traveling in the front of the vehicle.
One of them, Yoselin Galán, just 15 years old, was transferred alive to the nearest hospital, although in critical condition.
“When the doctors were preparing to perform surgery on her, her health worsened and she passed away minutes later”, reported Mayeta Labrada.
Her companion also sustained injuries, but so far there have been no reports of additional fatalities.
The passengers in the back of the car, according to preliminary information, did not sustain serious injuries.
Uncertainty surrounding the driver and causes still unexplained
The driver of the vehicle, identified by the community as "Negrín," jumped out of the car at the moment it began to descend uncontrollably down the hill.
The driver's situation is still uncertain. While some local rumors indicate that he is seriously injured or even deceased, "a very close source says that he is being held under investigation", clarified the journalist.
However, so far there is no official confirmation from the authorities.
As for the causes of the accident, they have yet to be clarified by the competent authorities.
However, witnesses point to a mechanical failure as the trigger of the incident. “The vehicle suffered a break in the steering, which caused it to go out of control down the hill,” recounted one of the witnesses.
Road safety in question
The accident has caused a wave of dismay in the eastern province and rekindles an old and painful debate about the technical conditions of the vehicles operating in Cuba, many of which are old, modified, lack proper maintenance, and have minimal technical oversight.
In areas of steep slope such as the hill of La Guásima, the risks multiply.
In this context, the residents of Santiago de Cuba once again question road safety and the responsibility of drivers, as well as the lack of technical oversight of transportation vehicles.
These factors, combined, create a conducive environment for tragedies like the one that has just occurred.
Filed under: