Stabbing victim flees hospital

POLICE are searching for a 36-year-old man who ran away from the San Fernando General Hospital shortly after he was treated for chop wounds to his neck and back. Francis Brown, of Mendez Village, Siparia, was attacked with a cutlass and chopped twice following an argument with a man over drugs, around 10.30 pm,  on Friday night. Investigators said the man, who lost a lot of blood, was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital where he was treated and referred to the Urology Ward — Ward 3. However when investigators visited the hospital late Saturday evening they were told that Brown had walked out of the ward without informing the medical staff and never returned. Doctors informed the police that the man’s injuries were life threatening.

Brown disappeared before investigators could have taken a written statement from him, but they did obtain his medical certificate. A 41-year-old suspect, who was held hiding out in a shack shortly after the chopping, was interviewed by the police and has since been released.  Cpl Minors, PCs Ramdass and Badree are continuing investigations. Meanwhile a 28-year-old man who was stabbed in his chest and back on Saturday, after his refusal to buy someone a beer, remains warded in a serious but stable condition at Ward 3 of the San Fernando General Hospital. According to reports, around 2.30 am, Shakir Seetahal, of Grand Street, Couva, was at Back Stage Pub, Issac Junction, Couva, when he was accosted by a man, whom he did not know. The man asked Seetahal to buy a beer for him. Seetahal refused causing the man to become angry. During an argument, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed Seetahal on the right side of his chest and back.  The suspect then fled. PC Nanan is continuing investigations.