Tragedy on Independence Day : Maayan, a one-year-old baby, was killed today (Wednesday) in a fatal traffic accident between two vehicles, on Highway 40 near the Negev junction. MDA teams and the IDF medical force arrived at the scene of the accident, and pronounced the baby dead.
His father Elia and his 7-year-old brother Uri were mortally wounded. The mother, Ilya, and Neta and Shahar, aged 6 and 4, were moderately injured. They were evacuated to the "Soruka" hospital in Be'er Sheva for medical treatment. In the meantime, Highway 40 was blocked to traffic at the Sedeh Resources intersection in both directions.
Ma'ain Jal (Photo: Courtesy of the family)According to the evidence, the accident was caused after she was driving in the opposite lane and hit the family car directly. As is usually the case in fatal accidents of this type, blood samples will be taken from her, in order to examine whether she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
MDA paramedic Rafael Binaminov and MDA senior medic Ibrahim Alaesam said: "This was a very serious car accident. The vehicles were completely crushed, 3 injured adults were trapped and 4 children were outside the vehicles. Together with a military medical force, we performed medical examinations and began treatment A one-year-old toddler was unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing, and after medical examinations in the field, a military doctor pronounced him dead. A 6-year-old boy who was seriously injured in the head was taken to the hospital in an MDA intensive care unit, while at the same time, a 40-year-old man who was seriously injured was rescued from the vehicles. Kesha and 2 women who were moderately injured. After the complex rescue operations, they were also taken to the hospital in MDA intensive care vehicles. 2 more children who were slightly injured were treated on the spot by a military medical force who evacuated them to a hospital when they are fully conscious and in a stable condition."
The head of the Gush Etzion Council and the chairman of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Na'eman, said: "In the midst of Independence Day, we were informed of very difficult news, in a fatal road accident, in which the residents of the Nokduim settlement, the Domanovich family, were involved. Ma'ayan HaKat has died of his injuries." We join Mother Ayla's request to multiply in prayer for the healing of the wounded and embrace the community of Nokad and her family in circles of branches in the settlements of Gush Etzion.
"I share in the family's deep sorrow and send recovery to the injured. Highway 40 for the most part suffers from poor infrastructure and is unforgiving of driver mistakes. Without a separation fence between the lanes, any small mistake could cause a fatal accident as happened today. The writing was on the wall and this road is dangerous and red for anyone who chooses to use it," stated on behalf of the CEO of the Green Light Association, Adv. Yaniv Ya'akov.
"The Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety is boasting of a new and large budget, therefore part of it must be directed to improving the infrastructure on the red roads with the most accidents, such as Route 40. It is not always only the driver who is to blame, therefore we must not wait for the next disaster and only then improve the infrastructure on the road," he added.
The head of the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, Eran Doron, commented on the incident and said: "The Independence Day celebrations were interrupted upon learning of the horrific accident and its shocking results on Route 40 in the Negev. I send my condolences to the family of the toddler who was killed and pray for the integrity and health of the injured. I also expect the Ministry of Transportation To complete the planning process for the expansion of Highway 40 and to begin the implementation of the expansion immediately. Unfortunately, this accident only proves that we must not lose additional time that could cost human lives."
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