María José Ortega, Mayor of Aguilar de Campoo, Hospitalized Following Traffic Accident
The mayor of Aguilar de Campoo and People’s Party (PP) senator, María José Ortega, remains under medical care at the Hospital Universitario de Burgos (HUBU) following a severe vehicle collision in the province of Palencia. The accident occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, August 10, 2024, on the PP-2201 provincial road, necessitating an emergency helicopter evacuation for the official.
Details of the Collision
The incident took place at approximately 2:25 p.m. local time near the third kilometer marker of the PP-2201 road. According to reports from the Castilla y León 112 Emergency Services, the vehicle transporting Ortega was struck in a front-lateral collision. At the time of the crash, the mayor was returning from a public event held in Menaza, a local district of Aguilar de Campoo.
The vehicle was being driven by Jesús Manuel Sevilla, the town’s Councilor for Urban Planning and a provincial deputy. Sevilla was traveling with his wife and their 25-year-old daughter. While Ortega required air transport to the specialized intensive care unit at HUBU, the other three occupants were transported by ground ambulance to the Hospital Río Carrión in Palencia for assessment and treatment of their injuries.
Emergency Response and Medical Status
The response was coordinated by the Castilla y León 112 emergency center, which dispatched medical helicopters and multiple ground units to the scene. The deployment of an emergency helicopter for the mayor’s transport highlights the severity of the injuries sustained in the impact. As of the latest updates, medical officials have not released a detailed prognosis, though the transfer to the Burgos University Hospital—a regional trauma referral center—indicates the need for high-level specialized care.
Public and Political Impact
The accident has drawn significant attention due to Ortega’s dual role as both the leader of the Aguilar de Campoo municipal government and a representative in the Spanish Senate. The PP-2201 road has been the subject of periodic safety discussions in the region, and this incident has renewed local focus on rural road safety standards. Local authorities and fellow party members have expressed concern for the recovery of the mayor and the other municipal officials involved in the crash.
Summary of Involved Parties
| Individual | Role | Medical Destination |
|---|---|---|
| María José Ortega | Mayor of Aguilar de Campoo / Senator | HUBU (Burgos) |
| Jesús Manuel Sevilla | Councilor for Urban Planning | Hospital Río Carrión (Palencia) |
| Family Members (2) | Passengers | Hospital Río Carrión (Palencia) |
Next Steps in the Investigation
The Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision to determine the cause of the impact. Investigators are examining the road conditions at the site of the crash to establish whether environmental factors or mechanical failure played a role in the event. Further updates regarding the health status of those hospitalized are expected to be provided by municipal spokespersons as information becomes available from the medical teams.
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