A cyclist lost his life in a tragic traffic accident on Monday morning in Niquero, a municipality in the province of Granma. The victim lost control of his bicycle and fell under a Kamaz truck loaded with sugarcane. Despite the truck driver's efforts to avoid the collision, he tragically ran over the cyclist, according to the Facebook news portal La Tijera.
The incident occurred around 8:40 a.m. in front of the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIUM) at the "Gelacio Calaña" hospital. Medical staff quickly arrived at the scene, as evidenced by a photo shared online. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the victim, who was instantly killed. Friends and neighbors identified him as "Papito Cuba."
In the comments section of the post, several acquaintances of the deceased noted that he had a disability. "Given his physical impairment, I don't understand how he was riding a bike," remarked a local resident. "He had no control because of his head issue; we always knew he shouldn't be cycling, and now this happened," added another person familiar with him.
Community Reaction and Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses emphasized that the truck driver was not at fault for the accident. "I don't know why some people comment without knowing what happened. The driver is not to blame; it was the cyclist who had issues and lost control," explained one neighbor. Another witness confirmed that the collision occurred at the rear of the truck, suggesting that the cyclist fell suddenly, giving the driver no time to react.
The accident has deeply affected the community in Niquero. "Rest in peace, friend, neighbor, fellow fighter. May God hold you close," a friend of the victim wrote. "Very, very sad for both, the driver, a great person, honest and hardworking, and the victim, a real fighter," shared another local resident.
Concerns Over Road Safety and Infrastructure
The incident also sparked outrage among some witnesses due to the delay in covering the victim's body on the road, even though it happened right in front of the SIUM. "They didn't have a sheet to cover the body; everyone had to see it," criticized a bystander. However, another person present clarified that "they did cover him with two polyethylene sheets as soon as they could."
This tragic accident has reignited discussions about road safety in Niquero, where, as in many parts of the country, the streets are in poor condition. "My Niquero is getting old; its streets are just potholes," lamented a resident.
According to the National Road Safety Commission, there were 7,507 traffic accidents in 2024, a 12% decrease from the 8,556 reported in 2023. Additionally, fatalities dropped by 13% (634), and injuries were 6,613, a 4% reduction compared to the previous year. Authorities continue to stress that the main causes are driver violations, poor road conditions due to lack of maintenance, and the aging vehicle fleet, averaging 40 to 70 years old.
FAQs on Road Safety in Cuba
What caused the accident in Niquero?
The cyclist lost control of his bicycle and fell under a sugarcane truck, resulting in a fatal accident.
Was the truck driver responsible for the accident?
Eyewitnesses insist that the truck driver was not at fault, as the cyclist unexpectedly fell under the truck.
How does the state of roads in Cuba affect traffic safety?
Poor road conditions, due to lack of maintenance, are one of the primary causes of traffic accidents in Cuba.