PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) – At least 26 are dead and at least 56 are injured when the brakes failed on a dump truck carrying gravel. The truck ran through a line of street vendors, motorcyclists and cars near the National Television of Haiti station on Delmas 33.
Initial reports came in through HaitiXChange, who said of the scene:
”When I arrived on the scene there was mass chaos as police officers tried to control the crowds. Dead bodies littered the streets and body parts could be seen in crushed cars. Even president Martelly made an appearance and could seen from the Haiti National Television balcony.”
”I quickly left the scene as bulldozers started clearing the debris and there were concerns that they might disturb they high-tension wires overhead causing more casualties. The entire scene was a horrible mess.”
Police are searching for the driver of the truck. Chief of Police, Will Dimanche said, "witnesses say he jumped from the truck after hitting the first obstacle but we'll find him anyway."
Mayor Wilson Jeudy of Delmas says the accident occurred at 10 in the evening. The mayor said the large truck was coming down from Delmas 40 and could not stop its momentum. Vendors, vehicle operators, and anyone in the way of the runaway truck were hurt.
The mayor says city hall has worked to clear the space of food vendors. He said that often these vendors argue with agents from his office and after being forced to leave, would return. The mayor says it is a very dangerous area to be in.
Jeudy estimates that much regulation must take place, saying that vehicles are on the road that have not been inspected, often headlights are out and traffic can easily lose order.
The mayor is thankful that the accident occurred at 10 in the evening as opposed to earlier in the day when the area is busy and dense with citizens.
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Michel Martelly, the President of the Republic,
went, on the evening of Monday, January 16, 2012, to the Television Nationale d'Haiti (TNH) in Delmas 33, to see the extent of damage caused by a terrible traffic accident.
Around 10 pm, a truck [ZA 12655], whose brakes apparently dropped, hit in its path pedestrians, vehicles, motorcycles, among others, before finishing its run in the premises of the State television. The first findings gave to count, several casualties and wounded. [according to the latest information that accident would have been 29 victims and more than 56 wounded]
"It appears that the driver lost control of the vehicle, claiming the lives of many merchants which offer food on the sidewalks and many passers-by, before finishing his wild ride in the premises of the National Television of Haiti," indicated the National Director of Traffic Services, Will Dimanche.
Arrived on site, the Head of State quickly issued a call for solidarity of emergency to the medical staff (doctors and nurses) to go to the Hospital of the State University of Haiti (General Hospital) OFATMA hospital, Doctors Without Borders (Sartre) and the hospital La Paix, in order to help the victims.
The President of the Republic while deploring the unfortunate events that once again mourning the Haitian families, renews its commitment to work to correct a set of behaviors and practices often very damaging to the community
DECLARATION OF PRESIDENT MARTELLY ON ACCIDENT
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Haiti: Delmas Accident Toll Climbs to 40, Interior Minister Expresses Sympathy
The Minister of Interior Thierry Mayard Paul expressed his sympathies for those lost in the traffic accident on highway Delmas on Monday as the death count has reached almost 40.
In a communication sent to DH, the minister said:
Through this sense of grief, tragedy reminds us once again the many weaknesses of our society and the many tasks that we still needed to definitely boost our country.
Minister Mayard Paul said he aims to renew his commitment to work towards improving the living conditions of the Haitian people throughout the country through the decentralization and the creation of jobs and reducing the impact of such incidents on our citizens.
The unfortunate incident that killed 40 people and left dozens injured occurred between 9:45 ET 10 PM between Delmas 41 and 33 near the local Television Nationale d'Haiti.
The Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities and National Defense implemented to increase local and international cooperation could provide concrete and positive changes to achieve the vision of the President of the Republic is the creation of of sustainable development for the country.
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Jansuary 16, 2012~tragedy after tragedy! We are continue to pray for Haiti. Sadden..My condoleances to the families.
ReplyDelete1st my thanks to RockMaster,to alow me the oportunity to view this video,my cincere condoleance to the victims families.How can we start to help Haiti if we could .More and Better hospitals with train emergency services personnel with ability to fly helicopter,better Ambulance services in coalition with several Paramedic services ;that will be a great start to benefit the population.
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