THA to pay for funerals of slide victims

Residents of districts on the north-east end of Tobago remained cut off from the rest of the island yesterday in the aftermath of massive landslides resulting from heavy rains two days ago. However, NEMA was able to establish radio contact with Charlotteville, and NEMA Co-ordinator Owen Sandy reported that six houses there had suffered major damage, while others were less affected, with only flood damage.

In the meantime, 43-year-old Shirley Nimblett-Ferguson, mother of mudslide victim Kathy-Ann Ferguson, was reported to be in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Shirley reportedly suffered serious internal injuries, when a house hit by landslide came crashing down on the family, when they sought refuge at that house. One of her children, Kwesi-Ann, 8, is hospitalised at the Mt Hope Medical Sciences Complex. Kwesi-Ann was reported to be in danger of losing a leg, but up to 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon Michael Stewart, PRO of the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) reported that no decision had been taken to amputate up to that time.  Her other children Kershon, Kurlon and Kale-Ann Ferguson are warded at the Scarborough Hospital. They are reported to be in a stable condition. Meanwhile, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will stand the funeral expenses for both victims as well as any other expenses related to the relocation of the affected families, according to THA Chief Secretary Orville London.