a792: Nine killed in Haiti festival accident (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb 15 (Reuters) - A speeding truck plowed into
a musical procession during Haiti's rural festival of "rara," killing nine
people and injuring 20 others, hospital officials said on Friday.
     The truck's driver fled the scene of Thursday night's accident outside
Leogane, 20 miles (32 kms) west of Port-au-Prince. He had not been caught.
     The victims were treated locally, with those suffering serious
injuries transferred to hospitals in Port-au-Prince.
     Rara, often referred to as "rural carnival," takes place every year
after Port-au-Prince's official Carnival celebrations. Country roads are
lined with processions of thousands of peasants following bands of
musicians in parades that cover many miles (kms) and last into the early
morning.