Artemio Mendez was a staff Sergeant at the BDF camp at Price Barracks in Ladyville where most of his friends and colleagues are still trying to come to grips with this tragic incident. A spokesman told us today that Mendez was diligent and steady:...
Maj. Thomas Cal, BDF
"We understand is that these two gentlemen who are members of the Belize Defence Force were traveling from Orange Walk heading towards Price Barracks here and they were actually on official duty and unfortunately the incident took place around mile 40 on the Phillip Goldson International Highway, with an ADO Bus - those international buses that travel through Guatemala, from Guatemala through Belize to Mexico."
Reporter
"So they were on duty at the time?"
Maj. Thomas Cal, BDF
"Yes, they were on duty."
Reporter
"Talk to us a little bit about him as a person, as a colleague? You said you knew him personally."
Maj. Thomas Cal, BDF
"Yes I knew him personally. He works here with us at Force Headquarters. He loves playing football, he is a football player. He lives up north in Douglas Village in Orange Walk District. He's done several trainings with us as well. So he is well-known within the BDF."
Major Carlos affirmed that the family of the deceased soldier will receive all the posthumous benefits of an officer who died in the line of duty. Meanwhile Lieutenant Argel Flores is receiving treatment at the medical facility at Price Barracks. He was in the Mahindra's passenger seat. While Major Thomas could not give us any specifics on the officer's condition, he said his injuries do not appear to be life threatening.
Maj. Thomas Cal, BDF
"There was an officer along accompanying the Staff Sergeant. Fortunately for him, he had sustained injuries yet to be determine by the medical department. He was at the Northern Regional Hospital initially and was released and now he is with us here at our Force Medical Center undergoing observation. The nature of the injuries and so forth I wouldn't be able to say as the doctor are still making those observations."
Reporter
"Nothing life threatening?"
Maj. Thomas Cal, BDF
"I wouldn't be able to say. But I think as we speak he is in a stable condition based on my observation, of course that not medical observation."
Sargent Artemio Mendez had served as a member of the Belize Defense Force for over 15 years.
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