Former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel, was injured on Monday, March 30, 2009, when his car apparently slid off the Western Highway as he was being driven to Belmopan. The accident occurred near the entrance to Mahogany Heights. Mr. Esquivel sustained severe facial trauma and a fracture on the left upper arm.
The former Prime Minister was in stable condition and resting at Belize Medical Associates Hospital that same evening. Arrangements were made to fly him out of the country for reconstructive facial surgery. Mr. Esquivel’s driver, Mr. William Schnarr, was also injured in the accident. He is being treated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
“Mr. Esquivel came to us just after 11 0’clock,” commented Dr. Fernando Cuellar; Physician Belize Medical Associates. “He was conscious when he came, he was alert, he was orientated; he had a lot of facial swelling and was complaining of a lot of pain in that area and in the right shoulder. After a complete and thorough review along with some cat scans we have concluded that the only injuries that he has suffered is some bones in the face broken along with the jaw and a broken left shoulder. Fortunately the brain did not suffer in injury; his chest is clear, his lungs, and the vital organs in the chest and also his abdomen. As it is right now because of the nature of his injuries, we are planning to hold him between 24 and 48 hours and then move him out of the country where a maxillofacial surgeon and that type of care can be offered to him.”
The Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel was appointed Senior Financial Advisor to the Government of Belize with Ministerial Rank following the change of Government at the 2008 general election. He served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989 and 1993 to 1998.
