Seven killed in car crash in western Georgia

Two children and five adults are dead after two major crashes in western Georgia.

Six people died when a car and minibus collided head-on in Grigoleti, Guria region yesterday. Shortly after, one woman who was injured in the accident was being transported to hospital when the ambulance she was in was involved in another crash; the woman died at the scene of the second accident.

In the first accident, all occupants of a Mercedes died when it collided with a minibus. Two children were among those killed in the accident. It is understood that after the initial crash, the Mercedes caught alight and exploded. 

All three occupants of the minibus survived however one woman was badly injured. She was being transported to neaby Poti Hospital by ambulance when the ambulance and a police vehicle collided. The injured woman died at the scene.

Several police officers and both ambulance staff were injured in the second accident. Three police officers suffered critical injuries, while the ambulance driver and a nurse inside the back of the ambulance suffered various injuries. 

Georgia's Minister of Health David Sergeenko said four patients had been transported to Kutaisi Hospital for further treatment following the accidents. 

Today he visited the injured police officers at Kutaisi Hospital.

Health Minister Davit Sergeenko at Kutaisi hospital. Photo by Health Ministry webpage 

"[The police officers] need intensive treatment. The ambulance nurse is also needing treatment but the driver will be discharged later today," Sergeenko said.

An investigation has begun to determine the cause of both accidents. Minister Sergeenko said it was extremely important to determine why the accidents happened so future tragedies could be prevented.