One dead, 7 injured in Valencia smash-up

ANN Hernandez is today thanking her lucky stars and believes she is living a second life after an accident which took the life of her closest friend Dolly Bachan. “I thought that was it. I thought I was going to die now. One minute there I was sitting at the front of the car heading home, next I glimpsed a truck heading towards me and then bang. All I knew after  that, I was being pulled out of the car. “While on the ground  I remembered Ms Dolly who had gone to Arima to shop with me. When I looked in the back seat I saw her, motionless as if she was dead. “When I saw the Fire Services officers cutting her out, I realised she was dead.”

Hernandez was referring to a four vehicle smash-up on Monday evening at the  corner of Dump Road and Eastern Main Road, Valencia, where Bachan, 65, was killed. According to a report, Bachan was returning to Valencia, travelling east when an old Bedford truck, travelling south from Dump Road, collided with the car. The car in turn hit another car which spun out of control, then hit a fourth car. Seven injured persons were rushed to the Arima Medical Facility. Bachan died immediately.

The Chin Chin Village, Cunupia driver of the truck reportedly told police he lost control of the vehicle. Recalling the incident, a still petrified Hernandez told Newsday that Bachan decided to go window-shopping in Arima after complaining she was bored and only because she (Hernandez) was going. Police sources said they are investigating the matter and expect to lay charges soon. Out of 27 fatal accidents, there have been 28 deaths registered for the year. Cpl Johnson of the Arima Police Station is investigating.