Sad news:

Last weekend proved to be a tragic one when a total of 28 lives were lost in 23 accidents on Spanish roads. It was the worst weekend since the beginning of this year and, the worst since August, 2009, according to the Dirección General de Tráfico (Spanish government body in charge of traffic), counting casualties registered between 15h00 on Friday afternoon and 24h00 on Sunday night. Of the dead, 15 were under the age of 35. In addition to the fatalities, 32 people were hurt in these accidents, including 17 being seriously injured.

The pueblo of Felanitx was amongst the afflicted communities with a bad road accident on Sunday morning when a small passenger car with four youngsters swerved off the road, somersaulted and crashed. M. O. G., a 21-year-old, was dead on impact whilst the driver had to be cut from the wreckage and is now at the UCI (intensive care) in a serious condition. The two other passengers were admitted to Manacor hospital with minor injuries. A blood test was taken from the driver and proved negative; the young man had not been drinking alcohol even though he had attended an all night village fête in Sa Pobla. The funeral (church service) was held in Felanitx last Monday night with an overwhelming turnout of families, friends and neighbours.

There is good news, though. Since the beginning of 2011 and until July 17th, 774 people have died on the roads in Spain, which is 72 victims less than during the same period last year, representing a decrease of 8.5 %. That’s some kind of consolation.

The photo was taken near Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: July 19th, 2011. The time was 13:14:12.