The rear containers of a cargo truck were left roofless on Saturday morning after colliding with the Calabazar Bridge in Havana, fortunately without causing any injuries.
"The Howo truck passed under the Calabazar Bridge and misjudged its height, collapsing its roof and falling beside a police officer who was parked there. No one was hurt, everyone is fine," wrote user Presente Gerlito in the Facebook group "Accidentes Automovilísticos en Cuba."
The remains of the accident fell near a traffic officer (known locally as "caballitos"), who was stationed under the bridge with his motorcycle. Images show several people helping to collect the debris from the containers. Traffic was not interrupted, and the police officer seemed to continue his duties without assisting the driver.
The containers were presumably part of modifications made in Cuba, where they are often transformed into rooms or offices, as evident from the installed door, window, and air conditioning unit.
Many users have commented on the incident, with most pointing to the increasing height of the road every time it is resurfaced, making such accidents more frequent.
"I think they should adjust the asphalt under the bridges because as they add layers, the clearance between the cargo and the bridge decreases," wrote one user.
"Look, the height regulations for these bridges are no longer valid because with each maintenance, the road height increases," another person added.
However, some users blamed the driver for not checking if his vehicle could pass under the bridge.
"Lack of caution from the driver knowing the height of his load," one user noted.
"That bridge is marked and has a detour to go around it. The poor guy just didn't think he wouldn't fit, which can happen to any driver," another user affirmed.
In 2020, a truck traveling on Vía Blanca towards Matanzas got stuck under a bridge. The incident occurred near the establishment known as El Trébol de Mar Azul. Last year, a container truck crashed into a bridge in Sancti Spíritus province, leaving the container deformed after the impact.
Questions About the Calabazar Bridge Accident in Havana
This section addresses common questions and concerns regarding the recent truck accident at Calabazar Bridge in Havana.
What caused the truck to collide with the Calabazar Bridge?
The truck misjudged its height and collided with the bridge, causing the roof of the containers to collapse.
Were there any injuries reported in the accident?
No, fortunately, there were no injuries reported in the incident.
How did the public react to the accident?
Public reactions varied, with some blaming the road maintenance for reducing clearance and others blaming the driver for not checking the height of his load.
Has this type of accident happened before in Cuba?
Yes, similar incidents have occurred, including a truck getting stuck under a bridge on Vía Blanca in 2020 and another in Sancti Spíritus province last year.