A regular bus ride turned near-fatal for 40 passengers this morning when their bus, traveling from Corozal in the direction of Belize City, suddenly flipped, leaving 24 passengers with injuries and two minors, a boy, 12, and a girl, 11, facing amputation of their arms, according to an initial report from police.
The bus, which has a capacity of 60 seats, was carrying about 40 to 44 passengers. We were told that it flipped almost three times before landing on its side, facing the direction of Corozal.
Police have since been investigating and thus far they have narrowed down the cause of the traffic accident to two things: a blowout of the back left inner rear wheel of the bus and loss of control of the vehicle when the bus driver, Pedro Kunuch, 43, reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel.
The bus, registered under Cabrera’s Bus Line, was on its 4:00 a.m. route from Corozal District toward Belize City when somewhere between Miles 64 and 65, between Buena Vista Village and San Pablo Village, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle.
The two minors received the most serious injuries. After the accident, we were told that the little girl had to be carefully extricated from inside of the bus, because her arm had been pinned under it; the little boy also suffered severe injuries to his arm; both minors were transported to the Corozal Community Hospital.
Tonight, we have been told that sadly, the little girl’s arm had to be amputated, but there is no confirmation yet that the boy’s arm has also been amputated.
The other injured passengers were put in groups of two and taken to the Corozal Community Hospital and the Orange Walk Northern Regional Hospital.
Information we received from police during an interview, suggests that the driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel, and the bus slipped onto the edge of the road, then flipped.
Police have not yet indicated whether Kunuch will face any charges.