The hospital’s emergency department saw a “marked increase” in visits from road crash victims in May, Bermuda Hospitals Board said today.

A spokeswoman said 159 people, including 22 tourists, were seen in the emergency department that month, bringing the total so far this year to 649.

She added: “It appears the increase is due to increased numbers of tourists on motorbikes.”

In April, 135 people attended the emergency department, eight of whom were tourists.

In January and March, the totals were 115 and 134 with only one tourist seen each month.

No tourists were seen in the emergency department for road traffic accidents in February but 106 residents attended.

The BHB statistics from January 1 to May 31 show that:

• 649 victims required the Emergency Department (32 were tourists);

• 47 victims were admitted to the Acute Care Wing;

• 6 victims were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit;

• 5 victims 18 or younger were admitted to the hospital and,

• 4 victims were discharged to an overseas medical facility after road traffic accidents.