Authorities in Bolivia have launched an investigation after an Irish tourist lost his life when a 4×4 overturned on the country’s well-known salt flats, reports The Mirror.
The victim was part of a group of seven people traveling in a Toyota Landcruiser when the crash happened on Friday afternoon, just before 5pm.
Officials reported that the group was en route to a nearby volcano when the vehicle lost control and rolled, continuing for another 40 metres before stopping on its side, reports The Mirror.
The Irish man sustained critical injuries and was being transported to the city of Potosi when he passed away on the way.
Five additional passengers were injured, including two Bolivian nationals, two German tourists, and a Dutch citizen, reports The Mirror.
Due to the severity of their injuries, three individuals had to be admitted to hospital in Potosi for medical treatment.
Colonel Wilson Flores, the local police chief, stated that preliminary findings suggest the crash was caused by excessive speed, reports The Mirror.
He mentioned that one of the tourists had asked to take over driving the car to film a video for social media at the time of the accident.
Flores said: “Unfortunately due to excessive speed, it lost control and the vehicle turned over, causing one death and five injuries. The deceased passed away en route to Potosi due to the abdominal injury he suffered,” reports The Mirror.
Raul Torres, a local tourism official, said the tragedy comes as concerns grow over safety standards among tour providers operating in Bolivia.
He explained that many companies are skipping road safety sessions, noting that a training event planned for the previous Friday had to be cancelled after drivers failed to attend, reports The Mirror.
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