Vallenato bandleader's conguero loses left leg in bridge crash

Nando Badillo, a 35-year-old conguero for the vallenato group led by Carlos Alberto 'Kbeto' Zuleta, underwent surgery to amputate his left leg below the knee. The procedure followed a bus accident that occurred in the early hours of October 26.

Badillo’s mother, Sandra Soto, told Colombian news program Quinto Poder that her son remained conscious during the operation. He is currently recovering in the intensive care unit. Soto stated that she relies on her faith for his recovery, noting that he has been a member of the band for 11 years.

The bus was traveling from Sincelejo to Valledupar when it lost control around 4:30 a.m. Authorities said the vehicle struck a protective barrier and fell from a bridge into the Ariguaní River, which marks the border between the Magdalena and Cesar departments. Four people died in the crash.

Kbeto Zuleta, the son of famous singer Poncho Zuleta, also lost his left leg in the same incident. Soto described the bandleader’s health condition as very delicate. She has three grandchildren, two girls and a boy, and hopes her son will recover.

Investigators are still determining the cause of the crash. Media reports suggested the driver may have fallen asleep for a few seconds before the accident.