Sixteen slightly injured in multiple collision on Me-1

The accident happened near Es Plans, kilometre 13.6 on the Maó-Ciutadella road, at around 1850 hrs. when a truck belonging to the company Tot Muntatges, and heading towards Alaior, crossed into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with an Autocares Torres minibus which was carrying a driver and 15 Spanish tourists.

A second minibus, belonging to Autobuses Mahón, with five British holidaymakers on board, was unable to brake in time and ran into the rear of the first coach. Then a black Peugeot with two occupants ploughed into the back of the second minibus.

According the Guardia Civil, who arrived to find initial scenes of panic, the minibuses had just collected their passengers from the airport and were transferring them to their respective hotels in the Ciutadella district. It appears that most of the tourists were adults, with the exception of a four-year old boy who was unharmed.

Sixteen people received minor injuries as a result of the accident, none of whom had to be admitted to hospital. Six of the injured were taken to the Mateu Orfila Hospital in Maó but all were released later the same day following check-ups and various tests, including a pregnant woman who was kept under observation for a while but later allowed to leave. The other victims were treated at the Dalt Sant Joan Medical Centre in Maó and Es Banyer in Alaior.

Amongst the injured were the driver of the lorry, who suffered cuts to the face and leg, and the two occupants of the car. The drivers of both minibuses were unhurt.

The cause of the accident is not yet known, but the Guardia Civil have suggested that the lorry driver either let his attention wander or fell asleep. He was given a breathalyser test which proved negative.