Same Deadly Scenario Took Coach Villamil’s Father

Belize’s football family is rallying after a devastating crash in Corozal left coach and former national player Miriam Villamil with life-changing injuries. Doctors amputated one of her legs after the coaster she was in, carrying young footballers, slammed into the back of an unlit cane truck. The tragedy has shaken the sporting community and cuts even deeper with a painful echo from the past. Years ago, Villamil’s father died in a nearly identical crash. Now, beyond her fight to recover, attention is also turning to the young players who witnessed the horror firsthand.

 

Marlon Kuylen, Executive Member, Football Federation of Belize

“Emotionally it’s taking a toll. But, I have to add that what adds to the emotional aspect of it is because a few years ago Miriam’s father died in the same manner. The bus he was riding in crashed into the back of a cane truck and the canes penetrated his body and his skull and he died instantly. And so it’s like deja vu all over again. Miriam was stuck in the vehicle for a long time. One of her legs was so badly damaged that there was no way they could save it. She almost lost her other leg, but thankfully the doctors at KHMH did a good job in salvaging it.”

 

Shane Williams

“Can you tell us how this incident has affected the students who were on the bus?”

 

Marlon Kuylen

“As you can imagine, they were having a good time. They just had a good practice session. They’re happy that they were chosen for this program, for this project. They were all in high spirits. And then in a split second, their lives changed. Especially watching her coach in that situation, in that position. One negligent act changed Miriam’s life forever, which could have been avoided. And so this will take a toll emotionally, mentally on the players. Despite all the pain she was in, her major concern was about the children. “What about my boys? What about the kids?” She say, “I know one of them. I think one of them suffered a broken jaw.” And we had to tell her don’t worry about them. Everybody’s fine. We want to worry about you.” But that’s just the type of person she is.”

 

Kuylen is calling on the authorities to do something about cane trucks parked on the side of roads at night.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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