Janice R. Andrews
On Monday night, an SUV in western Palm Beach County, Florida, plunged into a canal, sadly killing nine people—five of them children. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the collision happened on Belle Glade’s Hatton Highway about 7:30 p.m.
The 2023 Ford Explorer’s driver, according to the collision report, lost control of the vehicle when navigating a left turn, leading it to veer into the grass shoulder, strike a guardrail, and eventually tumble into the canal. After six victims were sent to a nearby hospital and five of them passed away from their wounds, four people were declared dead at the scene.
“There is one survivor out of ten victims overall,” the sheriff’s office declared. “At this tragic time, our prayers and thoughts are with the families.” The only survivor, a man of 26 years old, is receiving critical care at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Adults and small children were among the victims, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. In the canal, the car was discovered upside-down and half buried. Four casualties were taken by ground units, and two were flown by Trauma Hawk helicopter to a trauma facility. To make sure every passenger was there, divers were called in.
Even though there were a few isolated downpours that evening, authorities are still unsure if the weather had anything to do with the collision. Mayor Steve Wilson of Belle Glade offered his sympathies and said the city is dedicated to enhancing road safety with guardrails and better lighting.
The investigation into the event is still ongoing by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The National Transportation Safety Board has recognized the collision and is obtaining more details in the interim.
The community is in grief for the lives lost in this tragic tragedy, and the relatives of the dead have been informed. The occurrence serves as a reminder of the value of traffic safety and the necessity of continuous advancements to stop incidents like this one in the future.
