7 News Belize

Collision Involving 11, One Died
posted (February 2, 2016)
Last night we showed you the major collision at mile 17 on the Western Highway between a tourist van and a pickup truck. It involved 11 people - and tonight one of them, the driver of the pickup, Egbert Ferguson is dead.

Police say Ferguson swerved into the lane of the oncoming van and caused the massive head on collision. Six French tourists and a driver were in the van, while Ferguson had three passengers, a woman and two minors on board. All of them suffered injuries, but when we got to the scene yesterday, emergency technicians and fire department personnel were cutting Ferguson out of the pickup's driver's seat where he had been crushed. Today Inspector Rochelle Chan, the Commander of Hattieville police station told the media about the accident:

Insp. Rochelle Chan, OC - Hattieville
"Based upon information we have received and the investigation and based upon statements recorded and witnesses, it appears that the Ford pickup seems to have drift into the other lane causing a head on collision with the tourist van and that might have been the cause. What was the cause of it, I would know as yet. The vehicles have not been inspected so that we could determine as to what would have been the actual caused."

Emanuel Pech
"Any NIPs have been issued?"

Insp. Rochelle Chan, OC - Hattieville
"NIP has been issued to the driver of the tourist bus. Nonetheless we supposed to have issued NIP also to Mr. Egbert Ferguson."

Ferguson passed away sometime this morning. He was taken to the KHMH with a broken leg, but his condition quickly turned critical when it was discovered that he was suffering from severe internal bleeding. And while the official police report says that Ferguson drove into the tourist van, his family vehemently disputes that.

Paul Ferguson, Brother
"Well I want to clear up one thing and I want all the news media to know this; that Channel 7 report that my brother ran up into the van and that's not true. My brother didn't run into any van. The van was overtaking and the van hit the truck. So I want to get that clear. I want everybody to know that. I don't want anybody to feel like my brother run into no vehicle. Also, yesterday here was full of police. Like I think there was a drug bust. They are trying to protect the tourist instead of protecting their own people - my brother. I went to the hospital and they did all they could do to try to save my brother's life and they couldn't. I understand all that. But we don't want they say that he was driving crazy or recklessly or that he was drinking. Nothing like that went on. My brother doesn't consume alcohol - he is not a drinker. The truck cannot drive fast and he doesn't drive hard. He was with his family."

Sherrie Ferguson, Wife
"I never expect that was what they would tell me. Because when I came out, the doctor told me the surgery went good. So I wasn't worrying. I went back to my two little boys, because they are in the hospital too - the two little boys that was with him. I went to tell them and they were happy. They were so happy that their father was alright. I told them the doctor says the surgery went good. That's how Kelvin and Adam went to sleep. After 1am, they went to sleep. They were worrying about their father. When I went in there and tell them that everything was okay, they went fast asleep and didn't wake up until this morning."

Emanuel Pech
"When did you first learn about the circumstance?"

Sherrie Ferguson, Wife
"Last night after 1am when they took him to the theater. When the doctor came out he told me that this was a 50/50 chance. But I already knew that when he said it's a 50/50 I knew what would happen. And I walk and I went back in. When I went in I tried to talk to him to see if I could get him to talk to me, but he never responded. He never said anything and I wish to God he could have talk to me."

Paul Ferguson, Brother
"The hospital cover up everything. They say he only had a broken leg, he is alright. Then last night they say that he had internal bleeding. So we didn't find out until this morning. They claimed that they were trying to get in contact with us to tell us that my brother passed from early this morning. Come on. If it was one of the tourist that had die - trust me, they would have already looked into it a long time. I just don't like the cover up and that is what got me vex."

Emanuel Pech
"You think there is more the hospital could have done to save him?"

Paul Ferguson, Brother
"I don't want to say that there is more they could have done. I know they've done their best. But I am just saying the cover up. Because from the time I saw him come here on the stretcher and I saw his neck. They didn't want us to go in. They said it's just a broken foot - he is alright. But it was more than a broken foot. It was internal bleeding."

Emanuel Pech
"They weren't treating it as an internal bleeding, they were treating it as a broken leg?"

Paul Ferguson, Brother
"After they did the CAT scan or CT scan or whatever they did, they claimed that he had internal bleeding, so they rushed him to the theater. So of course the doctor was there for him. But come on, it hurts."

Ferguson passed away around 4 am this morning leaving behind about 19 children for whom he was the sole provider. Ferguson made a living selling juice and fudge in Belmopan. His passengers, Daisy Olivera and two minors remain at the KHMH receiving treatment. As for the six French Nationals, police say they were all treated and released with the exception of Emilie Siman who is listed in a critical condition.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize