Patient escort killed in PBR mishap

According to reports, Krishna Joseph, 42, was driving a North-West Regional Health Authority ambulance east along the Priority Bus-Route with its siren blaring at about 3 pm, when it crossed through a red traffic light near the Mt Lambert Road intersection. The ambulance came in to contact with a car driven by Jackie Hernandez, which was proceeding from south to north. At the time, Hernandez had the green light.

In the ambulance were two patient escorts, two enrolled nursing assistants and a 60-year-old patient.

On impact, the ambulance flipped over several times. Patient escort Shirley Small of East Dry River was thrown out of the vehicle which landed on top of her. She was crushed to death.

After the accident, the other five persons in the ambulance and the lone driver of the car were rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC).

Of the six injured, the driver of the ambulance and one patient escort were treated and discharged. The patient who was being taken from the Port-of-Spain General Hospital to the EWMSC for thoracic care when the accident occurred incurred minor injuries and was returned to PoSGH. One of the enrolled nursing assistants incurred severe neck injuries and lacerations to the head for which she was sent for X-rays. Another fractured her right hand, incurred lacerations to her left eye and was referred for orthopaedic care. The driver of the car was also warded for observation.

Barataria police are investigating.