9 dead in second Bolivian highway accident

The Bolivian highway that precipitously snakes around mountain passes at hairpin angles is known as much for its danger as its beautiful scenery, and just before the weekend, the second fatal accident in a single week occurred. The news early in the week of  a tourist dying on a stretch of the ‘Highway of Death’ was distressing enough, and now 9 are dead after an SUV smashed head on into a group of mountain bikers.

The accident took place almost immediately after the cyclists set out on the Andean Pass, as a Toyota Land Cruiser with 12 passengers inside struck the group, killing 22-year old British tourist, Tom Austin.

After impact, the SUV rolled down the embankment with the result of 8 deaths inside the vehicle. Two other cyclists and five passengers in the SUV were injured, but escaped the incident alive. These accidents come after the road received significant improvements last year, but some sections of the treacherous road remain unpaved.