A traffic accident between a Girón bus and a cart, which occurred in the early hours of today in the locality of La Caoba, belonging to the Simón Reyes Popular Council, in the municipality of Venezuela, left a preliminary toll of 27 workers injured.

According to the initial report, the incident occurred around 5:40 a.m., 24 of the injured were initially transferred to the local polyclinic, while three with serious trauma were taken directly to the provincial hospital Doctor Antonio Luaces Iraola.

Dr Inés Padrón González, specialist in Intensive Care and Emergencies and head of the Emergency Services at the hospital centre, confirmed the reception of 20 patients so far, warning that «the totality of the cases has not yet arrived.»

In her medical report, Dr Padrón identified three critical cases that represent «danger to life»: two patients with cranial trauma and one with «closed abdomen, with free fluid in the cavity,» with high probability of being surgically intervened.

The rest of the patients seen are reported as stable. The majority of the injuries are of orthopaedic origin, including contusions on elbows, knees and feet, as well as simple wounds that are being attended to in minor surgery.

Health authorities indicated that the arrival of more patients from the Venezuela Polyclinic is still expected, where minor injuries such as abrasions and blows are being attended.

However, one serious case pending transfer remains under observation, diagnosed with «pelvic fracture with free fluid in the cavity,» whose medical course will be defined upon arrival at the hospital.

Authorities of the province, headed by Julio Gómez Casanova, first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Party and Alfre Menéndez, governor, are at the Dr Antonio Luaces Iraola Hospital abreast of the condition of the injured. (Author Luis Falcon Saavedra)