Sint Maarten. Fatal Scooter Accident
On Tuesday, November 19th at approximately 09.30 a.m. the Police Central Dispatch received a call regarding a very serious traffic accident involving a scooter rider, which took place shortly before on the Little Bay road at the entrance of the Divi Little Bay Hotel.
Several police patrols, Police traffic department, Forensic department and paramedics were sent to the scene to investigate the matter.
On the scene the investigating officers encountered the lifeless body of a white male rider of the scooter who had suffered severe head trauma as a result of the impact into the guardrail on the side of that road.
The scene of the accident was immediately sealed off from the Great Bay Hotel to the One Tete Round-a-bout, and all traffic going into that area was diverted through other routes to get to their destination. The traffic became quite congested due to the temporary road closure. Dr. Mercuur came to the scene and pronounced the death of the victim.
The preliminary investigation by the traffic department showed that the driver of a taxi coming from the direction of Philipsburg was making a left turn into driveway of Divi Little Bay Hotel. At that same moment the scooter riding behind of the taxi, also coming from the same direction at a high speed, suddenly lost control of the scooter and impacting the guardrail. At the time of the impact the rider was wearing a helmet.
The body of the victim has been confiscated for further investigation. Up until this press release the identity of the victim was not established. As additional information regarding the investigation comes in the media will be informed. The traffic department will finalize this investigation within short.
Message to all scooter and motorcycle riders
The wearing of a helmet while riding a scooter or motorcycle is required by law. The wearing of a helmet is to minimize the severity of head injuries if an accident occurs while operating these vehicles. Even though the rider of this scooter was wearing a helmet during this accident, it was not sufficient to save his life. He suffered severe head trauma as a result of the impact. Never the less the Police Department is urging every scooter or motorcycle rider and passenger to wear a helmet when operating these vehicles
