7 News Belize

Soldier Killed In Early Morning BDF Truck Turnover
posted (December 12, 2013)
Staff Sergeant Abimael Carrillo, a BDF Soldier with 18 years of service in the military died this morning in a traffic accident a short distance away from the BDF Price Barracks compound.

Carrillo was one of 2 passengers inside a grey Toyota Pickup, which was being driven by Juan Tuyub. He and BDF Soldier Severio Cowo were returning to the base at around 1:30 a.m., and when they turned off from the Northern Highway, the driver lost control of the vehicle. It flipped upside down in the culvert at the side of the road, which was filled with water from the recent rains this week. All 4 wheels were suspended, upside down, and everyone was trapped inside the vehicle.

The other 2 men were rescued in time, but unfortunately, Carrillo was pulled out in an unconscious state. He was rushed to the BDF Medical Hospital and about an hour and a half later, he passed away.

The entire force joins with his family in mourning his lost, and today we got a chance to speak with an officer from BDF, who explained what information they had:

Major Thomas Cal - Belize Defence Force
"The incident occurred right at the junction of the Phillip Goldson Highway and Price Barracks, Ladyville. According to the information we got, the vehicle somehow ended up in a drain right next to the highway. It was flipped over with the wheels up in the air. The two occupants of the vehicle were trapped inside the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were not on duty, they were out there somewhere in Ladyville. They were actually on their return to camp."

"I also want to express thanks to the many civilians who were passing by and stopped to give aid along with several soldiers who quickly responded to the scenery and were there trying to recover the vehicle and personnel in the vehicle. As far as I was made to understand that when the body arrived here first at our medical center - and then shortly after that the body was rushed down to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. As far as we know is that yes the person is dead, but the cause of it we are not too sure as yet."

"On behalf of the Commander of the Belize Defence Force Brigadier General David Jones and members of the Belize Defence Force on a whole, we are here expressing our condolences to the family of Mr. Abimael Carrillo who unfortunately in my view had an untimely death this morning."

As we've said, Carrillo has given 18 years of service, and at the time of his death he was the company quartermaster who kept stock of all equipment for the force. The BDF will grant him a military funeral in a sign of respect to his tenure.

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