Barquisimeto, Venezuela…[Libna Stevens/IAD Staff]
An oil spill on Venezuela’s most dangerous road caused a multi-vehicle collision and explosion, killing four people. Of the 19 people who survived the tragedy, most were burned over 80 percent of their body. However, one Adventist family escaped injury.
For Gerardo Chacin, manager of Venepan, Venezuela’s Adventist health food branch, April 15 was another day. He was traveling by car to Barquisimeto on business with Venepan’s accountant, David Huaman, and Chacin’s wife, Iraide, and two daughters, Geide and Gessica. As they were traveling back at night on Panamericana Road, they approached the Vibriaska curve, known as the country’s most dangerous stretch of road.
Driving his Dodge Neon, Chacin, a resident of Nirgua, saw a stream of liquid on the right side of the mountain. The liquid was engulfed in flames, and was later found to be highly volatile chemical mineral oil which had spilled from a tanker truck.
Chacin was unable to stop his car in time, and the momentum took the vehicle through the fiery spill for approximately 400 yards. The car’s tires caught on fire. Once through the spill, Chacin was finally able to stop the car on the side of the road, where everyone was able to escape before it was engulfed by flames.
The occupants of the unloaded semi-truck and luxury tour bus traveling behind Chacin were not so fortunate, however. Chacin, his family, and Huaman, were amazed at how they had survived the incident.
“I am so grateful to the Lord,” said Chacin. “Our miracle is that at no point did our vehicle slide. We were able to step out (of the car) when we were out of danger. He [God] cares for His children and saves them,” said Chacin.
