Accident at Morne Espanol

morne espanol

The police are reporting a major accident in the Morne Espanol area in the north of the island.

The accident, which involves a Fine Food truck, occurred on Friday.

DNO understands that there are no fatalities but occupants of the truck are being treated for major injuries at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

DNO is following this story and will publish more information when it becomes available.

morne espanol1

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30 Comments

  1. Anthony Ismael
    January 12, 2015

    We sometimes wonder why Dominica is slow to react to issues that affect her citizens. “Single Focus Issues” is one of the main culprits. Whenever an accident occurs, driver irresponsibility is often cited as the “Only Variable” responsible for such accidents.

    Media outlets like DNO, DBS Radio, Kairi FM, The New Chronicle and other news outlets do not run any public service campaigns to encourage safer driving, the use of seat belts and helmets for motor cycle riders.

    There are not enough signs in areas like the West Coast Highway to warn and remind drivers about the dangerous-blind corners that form part of our road network. Lack of guard rails is also critical. Guard rails are affordable.

    Human Resource is a major component of our island’s growth and development. We need a “Can Do Attitude” with road safety on the island, not “It can’t be done or it’s too expensive attitude.”

    I wonder how many people have researched the cost of guard rails before saying that we…

  2. PS
    January 11, 2015

    In Nov. 2013 the Dominica police force received 90 motorbikes as a gift from the government of China ( see DNO of 28 Nov., 2013), Where are they? You hardly see a police traffic patrol on the highway.

  3. January 11, 2015

    i feel so sorry for that driver…….so listen up other driver u see what just happen so be very carefull Domionica is a larger population or population is going down so plz listen up!!

  4. Sprinter
    January 10, 2015

    We do not know the circumstance of the accident and we should not surmise. We should just pray that all those involved are well. On another note, however, we all have to begin to drive with our heads and not our hands. There is too much showing off in Dominica where driving is concerned-speeding, holding up traffic to have “conferences”, parking at inappropriate places for fear that one will have to walk to wherever it is he/she is going-an indication of utter laziness. I am often amused when someone toots at me or flies past me under the cane field cliff only to meet them somewhere down the road still enroute to where ever he/she is going in the next 3 to four minutes. There is no road system to allow one to get anywhere any faster so drivers chill and enjoy nature. You can only be late once.

  5. Morne Major
    January 10, 2015

    This is getting ridiculous. There is no law enforcement for traffic offences. Please someone tell me WHY do drivers keep speeding, driving recklessly and phoning and texting while driving? And passengers, it’s about time you all speak up and tell the drivers to slow down and drive carefully. Do so before you lose your life or those of your loved ones. This has to stop!

  6. Anthony Ismael
    January 10, 2015

    Admin. Is it possible to learn about what plans the traffic department has for road safety on the Island? Maybe a statement from the Traffic Department or Ministry of Public Works.

    This issue needs urgent attention. With the Carnival Season approaching in conjunction with increased visitors on the island, I can only imagine that we will see an increase in traffic accidents on the islands.

    Thanks.

  7. Anthony Ismael
    January 10, 2015

    We’re in 2015. I am honestly wondering when and in what century will our civil engineers lobby the government to improve road safety by installing metal guard rails in areas like Morne Espanol. All the studies show that if a motor vehicle remains upright during an accident, the likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities are significantly reduced.

    Looking at the area, there are no guard rails on either side of this dangerous road with a sharp corner and steep gradient.

    Now that some of our roads are well paved, it’s high time to seriously address road safety. Why are Dominicans silent on this issue?

    We cannot push tourism with these dangerous roads and poor road safety.

    • Thor
      January 10, 2015

      How about telling drovers to be more careful when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. There are no guard rails, but drivers can do more to remain safe.

      • Anthony Ismael
        January 11, 2015

        Thor, drivers will make mistakes and they sometimes drive carelessly. However, when that happens, we still need systems in place to assist them.

        I do not know the circumstances of this accident. However, installing guard rails will help vehicles remain upright whenever something like this occurs. The problem in Dominica is, we are a one issue island.

        Apparently, cautious driving alone is not enough to prevent some of these accidents and improve road safety. We’re in 2015 not 1950s. Let’s at least try to be enlightened and forward thinking about these issues.

        Most of our roads are poorly engineered and this also contributes to vehicular accidents and road fatalities. Driver error alone is not the cause of all accidents. There are other variables at play also.

      • Thor
        January 11, 2015

        Anthony, have you driven in Dominica lately? Well, I have and wehave some seriously stupid drivers in DA.

        Do you think the government has the funds to install guard rails all over the island, but are deliberately refusing to do that just so people will be !ore badly injured after an accident?

        The point isyou are far better off avoiding getting into an accident that having a d pool safer accident. If anything I eould put a greater emphasis on safer driving habits than guard rails.

        When we can afford to do both, then we should install those guard rails.

      • Anthony Ismael
        January 12, 2015

        Thor, I don’t know if two years ago counts as recent, but that’s the last time I drove in Dominica. Pretty much every respondent on this post cite driver irresponsibility as the main cause of accidents on the island.

        Driver’s behavior is just one component of accidents. By focusing on this issue only, we’re ignoring other variables.

        Public service campaigns are missing. There are no signs on the West Coast Highway warning drivers of dangerous cliffs ahead or sharp bends. We have to encourage drivers to participate in their own safety.

        By the way, “One Section of Guard Raid cost anywhere between US23.00-39.00 per section, based on the price of steel on the world market.” While we may not be able to install them all over the island, areas like the West Coast Highway and “Morne Espanol” are major priorities.

        If we do not advocate for safer roads, they will never come to pass. Let’s be open-minded and creative about this. Don’t tell me we cannot afford warning…

  8. jim
    January 10, 2015

    I understand that the injured person/s were taken to the Portsmouth hospital by the ambulance and then had to be transported to the PMH. Why were they not taken straight to the PMH?????

    • Bla bla bla
      January 10, 2015

      Jim, this is called common sense. PMH is 1 hour away or 1 hour before seeing a nurse or doctor. Portsmouth is 5 minutes away. Take the injured to Portsmouth where a doctor can make the determination of extent of injury and stabilize before transportation to Roseau. If you think that the nearest medical facility should be skipped altogether, then what’s the point of having it? Just shut down all health centers and hospitals and send every man crab to PMH.

      • The Facts
        January 11, 2015

        It was a wise decision to take them to the nearest hospital to determine the extent of their injury, treat them and then transport them to PMH for further medical treatment. Failure to have done that, who knows if they would have been fit to survive the hour’s drive to PMH which is in Goodwill?
        Thank God the drive from Portsmouth to Goodwill is shorter than in bygone years, which was approximately a four hour drive then. How times have changed. That is progress for Dominica with more to come.
        I hope they recover from their injuries. I wish them well.

  9. The Facts
    January 9, 2015

    Oh my, what an accident! What caused it? The items in the truck must be damaged and/or destroyed. What a loss for the owners of this business.
    Thank God there are no fatalities. I hope the injured recover from their injuries in time.
    Yes DNO, please keep us informed. Thank you! :)

    • PS
      January 11, 2015

      Somebody could have, been killed and you worry about the items in the truck???

  10. ooh la la
    January 9, 2015

    Wow! what could have happened? no brakes?

  11. Love All
    January 9, 2015

    Brakes gave way or what.

  12. real talk
    January 9, 2015

    aksidan ka fèt a portsmouth , moun ni pou alé Roseau paskè Possi pa ni lopital?

  13. anonymous2
    January 9, 2015

    Where is Morne Espanol on the north end of the island? I’ve never heard of this place.
    That truck took a real beating. Glad that people were able to get out alive.

    • Malatete
      January 10, 2015

      Morne Espanol, also known as Barbers block, immediately south of an area better known as Pointe Ronde (or Rollo Head) on the leeward side of the highway from Roseau to Portsmouth. Glad there were no fatalities.

  14. COMBOS
    January 9, 2015

    Another accident?…… who declared today accident day in Dominica… I rebuke it in the Name of Jesus….. I trust that God will lay his mighty hand on this island.

  15. Black empress
    January 9, 2015

    Be careful on the road guys!!!

  16. waw
    January 9, 2015

    so sorry hope the driver makes it

  17. January 9, 2015

    ces bien fritte cela pour vue qu’il sans sotte courage a e

    • Titiwi
      January 11, 2015

      For God sake Valerie, if you must write in French do it properly. Otherwise you may be “fritte” too.

  18. Observer
    January 9, 2015

    No fatalities; thank God. Maybe they were wearing seat belts.

    • The Facts
      January 11, 2015

      There are times seat belts do not protect them. They could get pinned to their seats. If there is one thing I pray to God for is to protect me from a vehicular accident or any other accident at all.

  19. Thor
    January 9, 2015

    Slow down around corners. How is that for Driving 101?

  20. UK Dominican
    January 9, 2015

    Hope they feel better.

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