The Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) is currently investigating a hit-and-run incident in the municipality of Ribeira Brava that left a nine-year-old child with serious injuries. The incident occurred late yesterday afternoon, prompting an immediate response from emergency services and an ongoing search for the driver who fled the scene without providing assistance.
Emergency Response and Medical Status
Following the collision, the child received initial pre-hospital care from the Bombeiros Voluntários da Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol. While emergency crews were mobilized to the scene, a man transported the child to the Centro de Saúde da Ribeira Brava. The child was accompanied by her mother at the time of the impact; the mother was also struck by the vehicle but was only treated at the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Due to the severity of the child’s condition, she was later transferred by a Portuguese Red Cross (CVP) ambulance to the Pediatric Emergency Service at the Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça in Funchal. According to the fire department, the child sustained serious injuries, including suspected cranial trauma and injuries to her pelvis and lower limbs.
The response effort involved multiple agencies, including the PSP, the Bombeiros Voluntários da Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, and the Portuguese Red Cross (CVP), which handled the specialized transfer to the hospital in Funchal.
Investigation and Legal Implications
The PSP’s road accident investigation team has launched formal proceedings to identify and locate the driver involved in the incident.
The failure to provide assistance after a collision is a significant aggravating factor in traffic investigations. By fleeing the scene, the driver has hindered the immediate emergency response and now faces a heightened level of scrutiny from the PSP, as the investigation must rely on forensic evidence and witness accounts to track a suspect who actively sought to evade detection.
What Happens Next
As the investigation continues, the PSP continues to make efforts to identify and locate the driver involved. The medical team at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça will continue to monitor the child’s condition, which remains classified as serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the accident take place?
The incident occurred in the municipality of Ribeira Brava late yesterday afternoon.
What is the condition of the victims?
The nine-year-old child was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries, including suspected cranial trauma and damage to her pelvis and lower limbs. The mother was also struck but was only treated as a precaution.
Is the driver in custody?
No, the driver fled the scene immediately following the collision. The PSP is currently conducting an investigation to identify and locate the individual.
How can local community members assist in preventing such incidents on busy roadways?
