Mother of port worker sues over son’s death

Mother Janice Koomle Ramper-sad’s writ was filed on Friday in the Registry of the Port-of-Spain Supreme Court by attorney Yaseen Ahmed.

According to the statement of claim, Sanjeev Rampersad, 22, of Mission Road, San Juan, was inspecting a container, taking certain information between Block C-1 and Block D-1 at Dock Road, Port Authority, Port-of-Spain when tragedy struck

While taking information from a container in C-1 the Rubber Tyre Gantry - H ( RTG "H") crane was working behind him. Reports were that Rampersad ventured slightly unto the diamond track in order to see the container numbers when the RTG "H" crane fell on Rampersad and crushed him under the wheel.

His mother is alleging that the Port Authority failed to have a safety guard on the crane wheel which is used to prevent any object from coming into direct contact with the wheels.

In her particulars of negligence she is further alleging that the port failed to keep a proper lookout for persons in the vicinity of the base of the crane; failed to have a fully operational monitor at the base of the crane; failed to ensure that persons in the vicinity of the crane were properly warned of the presence and movements of the said crane and failed to stack the containers at reasonable heights for inspection purposes by the Tally Clerks.

According to Mrs Rampersad, her son used to help take care of her and contribute to her medical expenses. The decease left to mourn a common-law wife and an 11-year-old daughter.