Moruga taxi driver killed in crash

A 31-YEAR-OLD taxi driver of Moruga died instantly when the vehicle he was driving slammed into a utility pole on the Solomon Hochoy Highway near Gasparillo, early yesterday morning. He is Joseph Paul Phillip, father of three, of Third Company, Indian Walk, Moruga. A police report stated that Phillip, who normally plies the San Fernando-Princes Town route, was travelling along the southbound lane when he lost control of the car, which skidded off the road and crashed into the pole. Phillip, the lone occupant, was pinned behind the steering wheel.

Police officers, including Cpl Mohammed, WPC Cupid and PCs Gobin and Cole of the Highway Patrol Unit (South) arrived on the scene within minutes. Fire officers attached to the Mon Repos Fire Station had to use the “Jaws of Life” to remove Phillip’s lifeless body from the mangled wreck. Owner of the vehicle, Digby Beckles of New Grant, Princes Town, told Newsday that Phillip drove the car for him and was returning from Point Lisas after he had dropped off a passenger to her place of work. Beckles described Phillip as a very hardworking and humble individual. Only two months ago, on Old Year’s Day, 30-year-old pineapple vendor Motilal Bhansraj of New Grant was killed when his pick-up rammed into the same pole.