Regiment, Coast Guard rescue 60 students and ten teachers

The stranded students and teachers were later rescued by the Regiment’s Engineer Battalion and the Coast Guard. The collapse of the bridge was attributed to the flooding of the Matelot River which had overflowed its banks.

The bridge is approximately 50 feet in length with a depth of approximately 50 to 60 feet between the bridge and the river.

In addition, electricity to the area was disconnected as a result of heavy rains and landslides which brought down trees and electricity poles.

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Emergency Plan was immediately activated.

By afternoon, the stranded students and teachers had been rescued, while dry rations were also delivered by the Coast Guard to residents affected by the flood. Repair work has already started on the bridge.

The National Helicopter Services, the Regional Corporation, and Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission all assisted the community in restoring some level of normalcy to the area.