CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY HORROR

By Humphrey Carter TRAGEDY struck yesterday when three people were killed in a multiple car accident involving at least three vehicles on the Palma to Inca motorway. Two men and a woman were killed in the accident which happened near the Consell exit at 11.30 and led to the emergency services closing part of the Inca-bound motorway for the best part of two hours. Four other people were injured, all women, and they were being treated in three different Palma hospitals last night. According to medical sources, two escaped with minor injuries while the two others were in serious conditions. emergency service sources reported that a fleet of ambulances, three fire engines and paramedics rushed to the scene with Guardia Civil traffic police support and assistance. Fire fighters had to cut some of the victims free from the wreckage while paramedics battled to save the lives of the three fatally injured victims but, according to the emergency service, there was nothing that chould have been done to have saved them. Police sources said last night that, while the exact cause of the tragic accident has yet to be confirmed, it would appear that the small van involved in the pile-up had crossed over the motorway, into the path of the on-coming vehicle in which the the man and woman died. The driver of the van was also killed in the accident. Traffic was held up for over two hours as traffic jams tailed back some six to seven kilometres as rescue workers and the police cleared the scene. A special crane was used to clear wrecked vehicles. During the emergency operation another accident happened on the other side of the motorway, but no one was injured. Yesterday's accident comes just two days after it was announced that the number of lives lost on Balearics roads this year is the least since 1983.