Baby dies in traffic accident

A 16-months old baby is dead after a road traffic accident in Trafalgar on Thursday, 28 January 2016.

Earlier that day the child, Edoardo Antoniazzi and his parents arrived on the cruise ship MSC Orchestra; they were being taken to the Trafalgar Falls in a bus driven by Randolph Xavier,67, of Eggleston.

According to police Public Relations Officer Pellam Jno Baptiste on arrival at an area known as Pardeau in Trafalgar the driver lost control of the vehicle after it collided with a concrete curb and then the vehicle plunged into a 140 feet precipice. It landed on a concrete secondary road near the Pardeau power station.

"All passengers sustained injuries," JnoBaptiste said." The mother of the deceased infant (Alice Zanette) is presently receiving medical attention at the Intensive Care Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital."

Five Italians and three Brazilians were injured and were transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Trafalgar is a popular tourist site because of the spectacular twin waterfalls.

MSC Cruises has issued the following statement:

"Regarding the tragic accident that took place yesterday, it is with great sorrow that MSC Cruises confirms that a 16 month old boy has died following the dramatic accident that involved seven of its guests, in Trafalgar, Dominica.

"The entire MSC Cruises family offers its most heartfelt condolences to the parents of the little boy and to his family and their friends.

"The parents of the little boy are both out of harm's way as the father was released from hospital while the mother remains under observation. A member of the MSC Cruises' support team is at their side to offer on-going assistance and help and will remain there until they are released.

"All other guests are also safe and have returned to the ship.

"The seven guests involved in this terrible accident were five Italian and two Brazilian nationals. They were all on board MSC Orchestra which was calling Roseau, Dominica for the day. The accident happened as the guests were on their way to an on-shore visit which they had independently booked through a third party".

The 89,600 ton ship is on a 14 night Caribbean, Cuba and Antilles cruise. After Dominica it calls in Grenada on Friday then Martinique on 30 January.

( This story was updated from previous story).