HORACE HINES, Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, March 25, 2008
MONTEGO BAY, ST James - Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia and her two children, who were all hurt during a motor vehicle collision along the Long Bay main road in St James Sunday morning, are now in Havana, Cuba receiving medical treatment.
The ambassador reportedly received multiple injuries, including two fractured ankles; her son received serious injuries to one leg, while her daughter received injuries to her arm. Another female passenger also suffered serious injuries.
The Cubans were flown out of the island that night. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was also injured.
The mangled remains of the Toyota Prado (top) transporting Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia and her children, and the Allion motor vehicle which were involved in a collision along the Northern Costal Highway Sunday morning. The vehicles were photographed at the Barrett Town Police Station yesterday. (Photos: Alan Lewin)
Both vehicles were extensively damaged.
According to the police, about 10:30 am on Sunday, a Toyota Prado driven by the diplomat's husband was travelling along the Northern Coastal Highway to Montego Bay when an Allion motor car heading in the opposite direction swerved into the path of the Prado.
The four injured passengers in the Prado were whisked away to the MoBay Hope Medical Centre in a motor vehicle owned and driven by an immigration officer who was passing by.
The injured Cubans were subsequently airlifted to a medical facility in their homeland.
According to a police source, the driver of the Toyota Corolla, who has since been discharged from hospital, is likely to be charged with dangerous driving.
A spokesman at the Cuban Embassy told the Observer Sunday night that he was aware of the accident but was unaware of the diplomat's present condition.