Cop escapes death as car bursts into flames

ACTING President of the Police Social and Welfare Second Division Association PC Cedric Neptune escaped death early Sunday morning and thanked the Almighty yesterday for giving him a second lease on life. Neptune, attached to the Southern Homicide Department, was pulled out of his B14 Nissan Sentra vehicle about five minutes before it exploded on the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway. Neptune, also a lawyer, suffered a left broken shoulder bone and up to late evening said he had blurry vision in the left eye. Police reports are that around 3.45 am Sunday, Neptune was travelling in a southernly direction on the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway. Approximately one mile from the Indian Trail Flyover, police said Neptune lost control of his vehicle, which skidded for about 200 metres then crashed into a concrete slab. 

Police said Neptune was trapped in the vehicle, but was subsequently pulled out by a passerby, who was proceeding in the same direction but stopped on seeing the accident. “About five minutes after (being pulled out) the car caught fire,” Neptune said when Newsday interviewed him from his home via telephone. Police said Neptune was then transported to the San Fernando General Hospital while the burnt vehicle was taken to the Couva Police Station. Neptune was first listed in serious condition but was discharged from the institution Sunday evening.  “I don’t know what happened.  I just ran off the road and struck a concrete slab,” Neptune said. He added that his car overturned several times. Neptune said when the car stopped, he made attempts to locate his cellphone but the man who came to his rescue urged him to get out of the vehicle.

“He (passerby) told me the car was going to burn,” Neptune said, adding: “Thank God I was able to walk away from it. I am very grateful for life,” he said. Neptune said he will be able to resume active duty later this week since he was told by doctors not to aggravate the injured shoulder. He has been holding on for Association President Acting Insp Christopher Holder who is on a two-week course and is due back on Saturday. Association Secretary Noel Chase was unavailable for comment, while Treasurer Terrence Pierre said any assistance needed by Neptune will be given by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).