lindsay - 4-21-2005 at 11:31 AM
Some of you may have read my post titled "Lessons from the Road" on the General Discussion Board about an accident that a Mexican family in a van had
on April 10th about 30 minutes north of Loreto on the highway. I would like to know what happened to them and how the survivors are so if anyone has
the phone number for the hospital/clinic in Loreto, I would really appreciate the information. One man at the Loreto airport thought some of the
family may have been sent down to La Paz for treatment but I will check in Loreto first. Thanks for any help.
Suggestion
Skeet/Loreto - 4-21-2005 at 01:53 PM
Go to Baja Big fish Board-Pams Big fish and she may be able to get you the Information.
hospital numbers in loreto
Julie - 4-21-2005 at 02:00 PM
Here are the numbers you need:
Centro de Salud (Dr. Oscar Green) from the states
011-52-613-1350039 or 1350039 from here.
ISSTE Clinic- 011-25-613-1350730
Loreto Ambulance Service/ Fire Department-011-52-613-135166
Good luck
Julie Ramos
Iguana Inn
Gracias
Anonymous - 4-21-2005 at 03:20 PM
Thanks Skeet and Julie for the information. I was able to talk to a nurse at the Centro de Salud in Loreto. She told me that all the family members (6
children and 3 adults) survived except one infant. The news about the baby, unfortunately, was expected since the child was pinned and motionless
under the van when we were at the scene. The others have apparently been taken for treatment in Cuidad Constitution and La Paz. I don't know their
names so at this time, I can't find out more but hopefully they are recovering from this horrible event and they will be in my thoughts.
Thank you again for posting your information.
aletarw - 4-24-2005 at 04:08 PM
Lindsay,
We are just getting ready for a road trip from Loreto to Cabo. Based upon your experience from the accident, do you have any dos or don'ts?
Aleta
Hope you have a great trip!!
lindsay - 4-25-2005 at 02:38 PM
I saw your other posting about your trip planning too so it looks like some of my advice may repeat earlier posts. As for driving, a few areas to keep
in mind:
1) Wear your seatbelts...the accident that I helped at involved a whole family all of whom were thrown out of their van because no one had them on.
2) Drive the speed limits especially when passing through towns or curvy areas of the highway.
3) Respect the no passing signs that are posted on the highway. If you do not know Spanish, the word "vado" is important to know because it is where
the road dips down due to a river bed or other geographical feature. Never pass when going through this type of dip in the road because you can not
clearly see what's ahead.
4) If a car in front of you turns on thier left signal, they are letting you know that it is safe to pass them. Be sure that they are signaling in an
area where there are no vados, no curving/obstructed areas and be sure that they are not going to turn left off the road for an exit.
5) Be aware that unfenced livestock can be on the sides of the road or in the road, particularly in the early am and late afternoon hours. Usually
goats and cows grazing on the sides of the road but they will get on the highway so just approach slowly when passing any livestock.
6) Due to the livestock issue, never drive at night on the highway, especially longer distances. Accidents can occur at any time but avoiding long
trips at night is important. Driving around a town or city is not the same issue but on the highway, I avoid driving at night.
7) Watch 4-way stops in towns/cities. Even if you have the right away, be careful of others not yielding to you.
In general, take your time driving and don't tailgate other slower traffic. You never know when someone may have to make a sudden stop or other
action, so you don't want to be right on someone's rearend. I have never had an accident during my years living in Mulege but I definitely have a very
healthy, respect for safe driving after seeing a very tragic accident a few weeks ago.
So, relax and enjoy your trip. Please post again if you have any other questions. As others have written, be sure to get insurance for your rental
car. I recommend getting full coverage, it adds up on the expenses but I think it's worth the peace of mind that you're covered as much as possible if
you have any type of accident.