MURMANSK, November 20 (Itar-Tass) —— It would be premature to speak about the possible transportation of Russian sailors hurt in a traffic accident in Norway on Saturday to the home country, Murmansk doctors said as they had examined the sailors.
“Five sailors are staying at two hospitals. The three sailors with worst injuries are staying in Troms and the other two in Hammerfest,” Murmansk regional health minister Arkady Rubin said by telephone from Troms on Sunday night.
Two sailors receiving therapy in Hammerfest are in medium serious condition, while the three sailors in Troms are in serious but stable condition, he said. One sailor is in coma.
Rubin lauded professionalism of Norwegian doctors and assistance granted by the Norwegian authorities. “The other sailors will return to Murmansk on Monday morning,” he said.
Murmansk Governor Dmitry Dmitriyenko said earlier that the regional authorities would give assistance to the families of the injured sailors. He ordered the sending of doctors to the Norwegian hospitals for staying together with the injured sailors until a decision on their transportation to Murmansk was made.
A bus from Murmansk has arrived in Hammerfest, Norway, to bring home Russian sailors hurt in a traffic accident in the early hours of Saturday.
Twenty-three sailors of a Russian trawler had a traffic accident in mountainous areas of northern Norway. One died in the accident and three, including the driver, received severe injuries and were taken to the Troms hospital. Nineteen sailors were hospitalized in Hammerfest.
“The bus will go back to Russia tonight and may reach the Russian territory tomorrow morning,” Russian Consul General in Kirkenes Igor Bulai told Itar-Tass. “Fully equipped doctors will meet the bus on the border.”
“It is still unclear how many sailors may take the bus. Fifteen have been discharged from the Hammerfest hospital and four stay hospitalized. The doctors may discharge another two patients, although everyone wants to go home,” he said.
“Things are worse in Troms. The Russians have had surgeries, but one of them is in coma. Their return is out of the question. A general consulate representative is staying at the hospital to give assistance to the sailors. For instance, he provides them with a cell phone to call home,” he said.
“The time of the bus’ departure depends on the issue of documents. Some Russians lost their passports and need documents for their return. Besides, the Norwegian police must issue a document for the deceased sailor,” Bulai said.
The traffic accident occurred on an icy road. The police questioned the passengers and started a technical examination of the crashed bus. Police conclusions will be released later on.