A majority of the 16 people injured in a hit-and-run incident in Albufeira, during the early hours of Tuesday, 25th August, have been discharged from Portimão Hospital, with two seriously injured victims remaining under intensive care, according to the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS).
Six people with minor injuries were discharged from hospitals in Faro and Portimão, while four others treated at Albufeira’s Basic Emergency Service had also been discharged. Four people were still under observation there at 4pm.
Among the 16 injured were two members of the National Republican Guard (GNR). The other victims were aged between 18 and 22, according to the Ministry of Internal Administration.
According to ULS Algarve president Tiago Botelho, one of the two seriously injured victims, who is from northern Portugal, will be transferred to São João Hospital in Porto after undergoing surgery at Portimão Hospital.
“After undergoing the procedure, the patient will be transferred to São João Hospital, although the date of the transfer has not yet been confirmed,” Tiago Botelho told journalists
One of those injured, 18-year-old Irish tourist Maja Lewecka, said she had been taken completely by surprise when the car drove towards the crowd.
“I didn’t even realise the car was approaching. When I saw it, it was already on top of us. It all happened very quickly,” she told reporters.
Lewecka was struck by the vehicle and dragged several metres across its bonnet, suffering multiple abrasions and visible injuries to her lower limbs. She was later treated at Portimão Hospital.
The teenager, who was visiting Portugal for the first time, said she would leave the country on Wednesday with a “bad memory” of her trip, although she was relieved her injuries were not more serious.
“It was frightening,” she said, adding that she had been “well looked after” at the hospital.
The incident happened at around 3am in the Oura area of Albufeira, a busy nightlife district where several bars are located. The road is typically closed to traffic between 7pm and 6am during the night, and is restricted to residents.
According to the GNR, the 35-year-old driver had been ordered to stop after setting off in a vehicle that had been parked in the area. He ignored the officers, turned around and continued driving.
He was ordered to stop again but allegedly drove towards pedestrians, hitting several people. Officers fired shots into the air in an attempt to bring the vehicle to a halt.
The car subsequently collided with another vehicle and the driver tried to escape on foot before being arrested by members of the GNR’s Public Order Intervention Group.
The man, who is yet to be identified to the public, was reportedly holidaying in Albufeira, and was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, drink-driving, and dangerous driving. He had a blood alcohol level of 1.29 grams per litre and was also subjected to toxicology tests.
Local traders told reporters at the scene that the area becomes increasingly crowded from the afternoon onwards, with alcohol consumption and disorder contributing to tensions and a sense of insecurity. Some also alleged that drugs are sold in the area and called for a greater police presence and searches of nightlife venues.
One trader, who declined to be identified over fears of reprisals, said: “The police would find a lot there.”
Pedro Pereira, commander of the Albufeira territorial detachment of the GNR, rejected the suggestion that the area itself was unsafe, saying incidents were largely linked to the high concentration of people and excessive alcohol consumption.
“It creates that image [of insecurity] because of anti-social behaviour, not because of crime,” he said, stressing that most incidents occur at night and, particularly, in the early hours.
Pereira said the road has clear no-entry signs and protective barriers in place from 7pm, but the driver ignored the restrictions and the officers’ orders to stop before embarking on what he described as an “uncontrolled” escape while the pavements and road were crowded with people.
A second GNR patrol was sent up the street after officers were alerted that a driver had disobeyed orders. The officers attempted to move pedestrians out of the vehicle’s path, but two were also struck.
“The action of the National Republican Guard officers is precisely about protecting third parties, even when that puts our own lives at risk,” Pereira said, praising the officers for successfully moving several people out of the vehicle’s path.
The two officers suffered minor injuries and were said to be doing well.
The case is being investigated by the Judicial Police, with several investigative procedures still under way before the suspect is brought before a judge.
The crash has highlighted renewed concerns over safety in one of Albufeira’s busiest nightlife areas, particularly during the peak summer season.
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: CM
