Two cyclists were killed and another two injured when they were hit by a car early on Sunday morning at km. 13.3 on the main road.
The accident happened at around 0730 hrs. when a car heading for Maó crossed into the oncoming lane and hit a group of four cyclists. The vehicle, in which two 21-year olds were travelling, then hit a safety barrier and caught fire. The two occupants were able to escape from the car unaided and received minor injuries.
Two of the cyclists, Juan Garriga Carreras, 59, and José Antonio de Tena Naranjo, 48, both of whom were from Maó, were killed outright whilst their two companions were taken to the Mateu Orfila Hospital in Maó with minor injuries.One of the injured cyclists, 40-year old P.F.S. from Maó, was suffering from shock and was released from hospital later that morning. The other, 46-year old L.G.B. from Alaior, had a fractured ankle and was kept in hospital, although no surgery is planned at the moment.
The driver of the car, who lives in Barcelona, was also treated at the Mateu Orfila for shock and a sprained neck but was released during the morning.
The cause of the accident is not yet known although, according to witnesses, the absence of brake marks on the road could indicate that the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. The State Administration's Island Director, Javier Tejero, stated that the severity of the accident probably meant that the youngsters were exceeding the 90 kilometre speed limit. Tests were carried out on the car driver for alcohol and drugs and proved negative in the former case.
Visiting the scene of the accident, the Mayor of Alaior, Pau Morlà, explained that the white car was a hire vehicle, so it was probable that the two youngsters were holidaying on the island.
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