Nine-year-old Red Bank girl is killed in a traffic incident in the south

Police in the Stann Creek District are investigating a tragic traffic incident that claimed the life of nine-year-old Vanessa Cal of Red Bank Village earlier today.  Initial reports are that the child was knocked down by a vehicle sometime this morning in the village. Vanessa was rushed for medical treatment to the Independence Polyclinic, where she later succumbed to her injuries.  Authorities say a woman who was driving the vehicle, along with a male passenger, are currently detained pending investigation. Police have also indicated that neither individual was in possession of a driver’s license at the time of the incident.  Police Staff Officer ASP Stacy Smith told reporters that investigations revealed the young girl had been riding a bicycle when she was struck by the vehicle.

ACP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department:“Police in Red Bank have detained two persons as a consequence of an investigation into a traffic accident which resulted in the death of nine-year-old Vanessa Caal of Red Bank Village. What we have learned so far in the course of the ongoing investigation is that the two detained individuals, being a male and a female, were on board an SUV being driven by the female. It is alleged that the female driver upon reaching an intersection observed young Vanessa on a bicycle traveling in their direction at a high speed. The female reported that she sought to apply the brakes, however, she mistakenly accelerated and collided into a fence and Vanessa simultaneously collided into the side of the car. The female further stated that upon making inspection she observed the damaged bicycle and Vanessa who exhibited no visible injury and was responsive. Vanessa was taken to a nearby house however some 10 minutes later she began to foam at the mouth and she was rushed to the hospital, the polyclinic for medical attention. However, they were not successful in resuscitating her. The body of Vanessa Caal now awaits a postmortem examination as a part of this ongoing investigation.”

Police investigations into the fatal incident are continuing.