A live television broadcast in Monterrey, Mexico, turned into a near-fatal incident when an out-of-control SUV ploughed into a reporter and her cameraman. Alma de la Rosa Flores was reporting from Morones Prieto Avenue for Gamavisión Noticias when the vehicle swerved into her and cameraman Cristo Martínez, leaving both injured but alive.
Live broadcast interrupted by crash
Flores and Martínez were on location to warn viewers about the dangers following a landslide in the Nuevo Repueblo neighbourhood, which had caused a motorcyclist to crash into a tree. As Flores stood near the fallen tree and debris, a van made it around the corner on two wheels. Seconds later, a dark green Jeep spun out of control, swerving into the branches, throwing Flores off her feet and trapping her against a door. She could be seen with her arms out against the vehicle, as if trying to stop it from crushing her.
After several seconds directed at the ground, the broadcast returned to the studio. Studio host Mario Gámez said: 'OK, come back with me. Come back with me. We just witnessed a live accident, and our reporter, Alma de la Rosa, and cameraman, Cristo Morales, were run over.'
Survivors in stable condition
Gámez later provided an update, saying in a social media video: 'My two teammates are doing very well. They were bruised, hurt, and scared, but thankfully there are no serious injuries from the incident.' Ambulances transported the team to hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition. Camera operator Martínez sustained injuries to his ankle and arm.
Flores, a veteran reporter with more than three decades of experience, spoke of being battered in the collision while remaining conscious. She thanked colleagues for their support, sharing on X: 'Thank you all for your messages of support and concern. Today I can say that we are alive, my cameraman and I are a miracle. Thank God.' She later added: 'I've been a reporter for 35 years. I hadn't seen the images, but I imagined them. And well, I'm more than grateful to God, to life, and to all the people who were concerned about us. Thank you all. We're feeling better now.'
Driver arrested and clip goes viral
Reports indicate that a 19-year-old was arrested as procedures were carried out. The clip of the crash soon went viral, with viewers stunned that the outcome was not more serious. Social media users expressed disbelief, with @RodolfoRmzB questioning why the reporter was sent to film in the 'middle of a wet road', while @LatinMexx said they 'can hardly believe that both of them are still alive'.
