Man dies in submerged car

The accident claimed the life of taxi driver Garth Lamotte, 28, of Delhi Road, Fyzabad who police said, was pinned behind the steering wheel of the submerged car. Lamotte died on the spot.

But his brother-in-law, Sunil Chankarsingh, 40, who was in the front passenger seat was rescued by a man who was fishing near the scene of the crash.

The dramatic incident unfolded at about 4 am yesterday as Lamotte was proceeding to San Fernando along the South Trunk Road in a white Lexus, a police report stated.

Shortly after passing the Gordineau bridge, Lamotte reportedly lost control of the car, struck another vehicle and crashed into a pole.

The car reportedly skidded on grass on the side of the road before it plunged into the sea.

A man, whose name is unknown to police, was fishing when he heard the crash.

He reportedly dived into the sea and pulled out a semi-conscious Chankarsingh from the mangled wreck and dragged him to shore.

The rescuer also tried to free Lamotte but his efforts were in vain. Motorists, who stopped to render assistance, also tried to help Lamotte but they too were unsuccessful.

Shortly after officers of the Mon Repos Fire Service arrived on the scene.

The firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to cut open the car, and with the assistance of police officers, brought Lamotte’s body to shore — but Lamotte was already dead.

An EHS ambulance rushed Chankarsingh to the hospital where he was treated for severe head and chest injuries and warded in a serious condition.

Yesterday Lamotte’s distraught wife Crystal Gittens was being consoled by relatives at her home. Gittens was too emotional to speak with Sunday Newsday, but a relative said Lamotte was going to Sankarsingh’s home to meet Gittens when he met his death. However, she claimed Lamotte was not driving the vehicle.

Describing Lamotte as a jovial person, she said Lamotte’s last child, Nichola, had turned three months yesterday and his son, Nicholas, would celebrate his fifth birthday next Friday.

She said Lamotte had planned to hold a special birthday party for Nicholas, but instead they were now making funeral preparations for Nichola’s father.

An autopsy is expected to be performed tomorrow at the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital.

Sgt Ali and PC Harripersad of the San Fernando Traffic Branch are continuing investigations.