Heraklion–Moires: Serious Crash, Two Freed by Firefighters

A serious traffic accident occurred on the morning of Thursday, August 13, on the Heraklion–Moires national road, in the Messara region. A car left the road and ended up off the carriageway. The force of the impact was such that the two occupants became trapped inside the vehicle. Emergency services were called to the scene immediately. The exact circumstances of the accident are being investigated by the competent authorities.

The Fire Service worked to free the two people. Operations of this kind require special cutting and lifting equipment and are carried out with particular care. The goal is to avoid worsening any spinal injuries during the extraction. The time required depends on the position and deformation of the vehicle. Once the extraction was complete, the injured were handed over to paramedics.

An EKAB ambulance picked up the two injured people and transferred them to hospital. One of them is being treated in serious condition. The second sustained lighter injuries. No identifying details or ages of the occupants were released. Their health condition will be reassessed after initial examinations.

The Heraklion–Moires national road is the main route connecting the city of Heraklion with the Messara plain and the south coast. Traffic on it increases significantly during the summer months, as it serves travel to the beaches of the south. Sections of the road have bends and points with limited visibility. A vehicle running off the road is one of the most common types of accident on such routes. Causes may include speed, fatigue, mechanical failure or road surface conditions.

The accident occurred on a day when traffic on Crete’s road network is elevated due to the mid-August exodus. Heraklion traffic police have deployed their entire staff in the field for the period. The measures cover the urban centre, the provincial road network and the national road. The service has announced that the peak is expected on the eve of the holiday, in the afternoon. Checks focus mainly on speed and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Crete has recorded a series of serious accidents recently. The same day saw two consecutive pile-ups involving seven vehicles on BOAK in Chania. Earlier, in Rethymno, five people were injured in a collision at Armeni. The incidents involve both the main road axis and the provincial network. Road safety remains one of the island’s most persistent issues during peak months.

The traffic police report on the accident is expected once the investigation is complete. More from Heraklion on the Heraklion page. Creta Today will provide updates on the injured’s condition once information is available. Drivers are urged to exercise increased caution on provincial roads. The strong winds of these days further worsen driving conditions.