Be careful on the roads, the holiday weekend brings crowds

A tragic two-fatality crash occurred on Sunday evening near Sinja, according to reports from Slovenske novice. A vehicle lost control on the state road and plunged into a gorge, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The exact time of the accident remains under investigation, though initial reports suggest the incident happened shortly after 7 p.m. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, where they secured the area and began collecting information about the circumstances. An ongoing detailed inspection aims to determine the cause of the accident, which has been described as one of the worst traffic tragedies in the region in recent years. The identities of the deceased have yet to be officially disclosed, and further analysis will be required before conclusive findings are available. This incident highlights the severity of the situation, with the police emphasizing the need for thorough investigation into the causes of such accidents. Separately, a serious traffic incident involving the president of the Republic, Nataša Pirc Musar, took place in the Kastelec gorge. She was traveling in a government vehicle along with her bodyguard, a security officer, and two personal friends. The crash reportedly occurred while she was returning from a summer vacation in Croatia. In response, acting director of the Police Directorate Danijel Lorbek ordered a technical review of the work conducted by the Koper Police Department regarding road safety. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Public Administration, under Minister Franci Matoz, requested a report on the handling of the incident, including media statements suggesting one of the officers had a past record of drug trafficking. The case has also been referred to the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK), which received multiple complaints, including one from the United Slovenia party regarding potential conflicts of interest related to the transportation of private friends in the official vehicle. Boštjan Lindav, a former head of the police department, expressed concerns over the direction of the technical review, noting that it should focus on specific incidents rather than broader issues of road safety. He criticized the lack of trust in the police’s ability to handle high-profile cases effectively, arguing that the current approach undermines professional standards. Lindav emphasized that decisions should be left to experts, urging authorities to allow professionals to manage their responsibilities without unnecessary interference. Meanwhile, another fatal incident occurred in the village of Golo Brdo, near the Italian border. A 55-year-old tractor driver, who was transporting a tank truck, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the Idrij River. According to the police, the man had descended from the tractor's metal steps and fell into the river, suffering severe head injuries. Gas fire fighters and rescue teams arrived at the scene, but the victim was already dead upon arrival. The local authorities confirmed that foreign fault was excluded, and a forensic examination will determine the exact cause of death. The incident has prompted an investigation by the local police and relevant legal authorities. In a separate incident, a 37-year-old Austrian national sustained serious injuries during a rafting trip on the Soča River. He was rescued by emergency responders and transported via helicopter to the Jesenice General Hospital for further treatment. The incident occurred near the village of Trnovo in the Kobarid municipality. The man had participated in an organized rafting descent led by a 36-year-old guide from Čila. Despite following instructions, he improperly entered the water and suffered injuries. Rescue teams from the National Mountain Patrol and other emergency services assisted in the operation, and the police concluded that there was no foreign fault involved. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with water-based activities and the importance of adhering strictly to guidelines and using appropriate safety equipment. These events underscore the ongoing challenges faced by emergency services and law enforcement in addressing both routine and high-profile incidents, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and adherence to established protocols.