Motorcyclist in Critical Condition After Belle-Mare Road Crash

A serious road accident on the coastal road of Belle-Mare, on Mauritius's east coast, has left a motorcyclist in a critical condition after he slammed into the back of a stationary truck. The collision occurred on Thursday, 8 October, and involved two men: a 79-year-old truck driver from Quatre-Cocos and a 59-year-old motorcyclist from Clemencia, a village in the Flacq district. **What happened** According to initial reports, the truck driver braked suddenly and brought his vehicle to a halt in the middle of the road. The motorcyclist, caught off guard by the unexpected stop, was unable to avoid the impact and rode directly into the rear of the truck. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene and transported the injured motorcyclist to Sir Anerood Jugnauth (SAJ) Hospital — the main public hospital serving the north and northeast of the island, located in Pamplemousses. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where his condition is described as critical. **Alcohol test negative** The truck driver was subjected to a breathalyser test at the scene. The result came back negative, meaning alcohol was not a factor on his part. No arrests have been reported at this stage, though police are investigating the circumstances of the crash, including why the truck stopped abruptly on the roadway. **Road safety concerns** The Belle-Mare coastal road is a popular route for both locals and tourists accessing the beaches and hotels along Mauritius's east coast. It is frequently used by heavy goods vehicles as well as motorcyclists and cyclists, making sudden stops particularly hazardous. Road accidents involving motorcyclists remain a serious public safety issue in Mauritius. Two-wheelers are statistically among the most vulnerable road users on the island, and collisions with larger vehicles frequently result in severe or fatal injuries. Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on the incident. Source: ION News