The news tonight is that there is no serious violent crime to report.
The Independence Day weekend passed without any serious crime reported in Belize
City – or for that matter any part of the country. Great work by the security
forces, and we'd say more about it, but these things have a way of even-ing
themselves out quickly, so the less said, the better. But there is news. A Belize
Defense Force soldier is unconscious in a coma and six more are hospitalized after a disastrous
crash this morning. It occurred at 11:55 am on the Caracol Road in the heart
of Mountain Pine Ridge in the Cayo area. 9 soldiers were in a BDF truck when
it overturned. 7 of the 9 required medical treatment and of that seven –
four were flown via helicopter to the KHMH which is where our story begins.
Keith Swift Reporting,
7NEWS was at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital this
afternoon when the British Huey Bell helicopter touched down. Four injured soldiers
were on board the chopper. Two were well enough to hop out. A third soldier, 
who was unconscious, was carried on a stretcher. A fourth soldier, with his
right hand in bandage, was placed in a wheel chair. The soldiers are 4 of the
7 who were injured this morning when a BDF truck just like this one, which is
called a four tonner, flipped on the Caracol Road.
Major Ganney Dortch, BDF Chief of Staff
"They were going from Camp Belizario to Las Cuevas Research Center
which is apparently 25 miles from Belizario on routine change over. They went
to relieve those soldiers that had been working there for 14 days or so. The
injuries range from being unconscious as we speak to six others receiving several
other injuries and fractures to the hands, to the feet, head, and we are trying
to see how best we could ensure that these individuals get good medical assistance
and care.
The terrain that these guys are operating in, we know it is hilly terrain, 
and we're dealing with the Mountain Pine Ridge area and at this time of
the year when we have a lot of rain, I would want to suspect that the road conditions
is not in the best of order."
Of principal concern to the army tonight is the unconscious soldier who had
to be carried on a stretcher.
Major Ganney Dortch,
"According to the doctor they are looking at his condition, they are
reviewing his condition on a timely basis and they say that he is pretty much
in a stable condition. Our priority is to ensure that our soldiers receive the
best medical treatment, best medical care, and our next move from here is to
inform their next of kin."
Their names were withheld pending the notification of their next of kin.
The driver was injured and BDF investigators are waiting for him to
recover and take a statement and give some explanation of the accident.
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