30 March 2009 - (Belizean.com) The former Prime Minister of Belize Rt. Hon. Dr. Manuel Esquivel age 69 is in a serious but stable condition after being involved in a traffic accident between mile 31 and 32 on the Western Highway between Belize City and the capital Belmopan. Mr. Esquivel as leader of the United Democratic served as Prime Minister of Belize from 1984 to 1989, and again from 1993 to 1998. He is currently a senior adviser with ministerial rank in the government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow.Mr. Esquivel was on his way to work in the capital Belmopan when the driver of the Nissan Pathfinder in which he was traveling lost control of the vehicle. Eyewitnesses say the vehicle ran off the road, hit a culvert, went up into the air and rolled over several times.
The former prime minister was removed by paramedics from the vehicle, transported by ambulance to the government owned Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, and from there airlifted to the privately owned Belize Medical Associates Hospital 52 miles away in Belize City.
His physician Dr. Fernando Cuellar said in a televised interview this evening that Mr. Esquivel suffered a broken shoulder, facial bone fractures and a broken jaw. CT scans of his brain, chest and abdomen do not show anything adverse. It is expected that after a couple of days Mr. Esquivel will be flown out of the country for maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. There are no maxillofacial surgeons in Belize.
The former Prime Minister was in a similar accident 13 years ago at almost exactly the same time - 8:40 a.m. - in 1996 when his Isuzu Trooper vehicle overturned about two miles from the site of today's accident. In that accident his driver, a police officer, later died from his injuries.
The Western Highway between Belize City and Belmopan is the scene of frequent accidents stemming largely from the use of limestone chips in the construction of part of the road making it slippery in times of light rain and the need for resurfacing several portions that are worn out.
Most of the highways of Belize are in a state of neglect with many potholes, worn out surfaces, and sections that have eroded shoulders making for narrow highways.
Those who have list their life on this highway include the Anglican Bishop of Belize, the Financial Secretary of Belize, a Judge of the Supreme Court and dozens of citizens.
His physician Dr. Fernando Cuellar said in a televised interview this evening that Mr. Esquivel suffered a broken shoulder, facial bone fractures and a broken jaw. CT scans of his brain, chest and abdomen do not show anything adverse. It is expected that after a couple of days Mr. Esquivel will be flown out of the country for maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. There are no maxillofacial surgeons in Belize.
The former Prime Minister was in a similar accident 13 years ago at almost exactly the same time - 8:40 a.m. - in 1996 when his Isuzu Trooper vehicle overturned about two miles from the site of today's accident. In that accident his driver, a police officer, later died from his injuries.
The Western Highway between Belize City and Belmopan is the scene of frequent accidents stemming largely from the use of limestone chips in the construction of part of the road making it slippery in times of light rain and the need for resurfacing several portions that are worn out.
Most of the highways of Belize are in a state of neglect with many potholes, worn out surfaces, and sections that have eroded shoulders making for narrow highways.
Those who have list their life on this highway include the Anglican Bishop of Belize, the Financial Secretary of Belize, a Judge of the Supreme Court and dozens of citizens.
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