The death toll from a traffic accident that occurred the day before yesterday at the exit of the Ambohidahy tunnel has risen to four. A taxi-be struck several pedestrians. Two women, seriously injured in the accident, succumbed to their injuries while still receiving treatment at the hospital. One was 77 years old and a mother of a family. The other, also a mother of a family, was 57 years old.
Yesterday, both families were still at the hospital handling procedures related to the deaths and the removal of bodies from the morgue. The body of another woman, who died before them, also remained at the morgue. As for the man, a rescue worker who also lost his life in this accident, his body had already been returned to his family following a wake and tribute held yesterday at the rescue workers' barracks in Tsaralalàna.
The two mothers were friends and knew each other well. They were traveling together when both were struck by the public transport vehicle. Their relatives were already at the hospital. It was when they met and exchanged information that they learned the two women had been victims of the same accident.
"Mom had just finished her work in Analakely and was heading home to 67 Ha when she was hit along with her friend. The hospital called me. I came here and found her still being treated. One side of her head was severely swollen. She was still speaking and complaining of severe pain. She also had a scan. But she succumbed around 7:30 p.m.," testified the son of the first victim.
"Our older sister managed to give her child's name and phone number when she arrived at the hospital. We, the family members, came then. She kept talking, complaining of pain, vomiting a lot of blood and groaning. She fought for a while. The doctors explained to us and encouraged us, but her condition did not improve. She died around 6 p.m.," also recounted the sister of the second victim.
As a reminder, nine people, all pedestrians, were victims of the accident after being struck by the taxi-be at the exit of the Ambohidahy tunnel. A man and a woman died first. The two other women succumbed in turn. Among the other injured, some have already been able to return home, while others remain hospitalized. The police investigation into this accident is ongoing.