Posted: 11/19/07
Child dies following accident
involving TBM volunteers in Mexico
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
DALLAS—A Texas Baptist Men team on its way to feed victims of flooding in Southern Mexico was involved in a traffic accident Nov. 15 that resulted in a child’s death.
A group of children surrounded a van carrying the TBM team while it travelled through a small village in Mexico. The children were darting around the slow-moving vehicle, attempting to sell items when one of them misjudged the van’s speed and ran into the side of it.
A TBM volunteer trained in emergency medical procedures examined the child and noticed a significant gash in the boy’s head, but the child had strong vital signs. An ambulance took the child to a nearby hospital for treatment. He later was transferred to another hospital where he died Nov. 17.
Local authorities detained the van driver, but he was soon released and cleared of all charges.
Insurance covered the expenses of medical care for the boy, and TBM is attempting to contact and minister to the boy’s family.
“This is a tragic situation,” said Leo Smith, TBM executive director. “Our hearts and prayer go out to the family of this young man. We are looking to do all we can for his family.”
The team is now serving victims of widespread flooding in the state of Tabasco. It prepared more than 5,100 meals Nov. 18 and will continue to work through Thanksgiving.
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