A failure in the brake system of a header caused a traffic accident on the afternoon of this Tuesday, July 7, at kilometer 196.5 of route CA-2, in the village of El Xab, municipality of El Asintal, Retalhuleu. The accident left four people injured and damage to three vehicles and two homes.
Video surveillance cameras installed in the sector recorded the moment when the heavy vehicle, which was heading from Ciudad Hidalgo to Cobán, lost control when descending the section. The images show that the head first hit a beverage delivery truck, then a Pullman bus bound for the border with Mexico and, finally, crashed into two homes located on the side of the road.
The driver of the truck was identified as Rafael Mendoza.
First responders from the Guatemalan Red Cross and the Departmental Municipal Firefighters went to the scene to attend to the emergency. The bus pilot was trapped in the cockpit and was freed with rescue equipment. Later, he was transferred to a care center.
Also receiving pre-hospital care were Antonio Rafael Escobar, 53, and Marvin López, 26, pilot and custodian of the beverage delivery truck, respectively, in addition to the driver of the truck.
Marvin Morales, a lifeguard from the Guatemalan Red Cross, reported that the bus passengers were evaluated at the scene and did not have serious injuries.
Authorities confirmed that the accident left no fatalities. They added that the security camera recordings will be part of the investigation to establish the causes of the accident and determine the corresponding responsibilities.
The incident caused complications in traffic on the CA-2 route while the rescue forces and authorities carried out the work of caring for and removing the vehicles involved.
*Stay up to date with the Now newsletter. Key information at the moment it happens. Subscribe here.