Legless man found dead in car

PRAKASH SINGH, who had no legs and who made his black Nissan Sunny car his home for the past three months was found dead inside the vehicle which was parked under a tree on the compound of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) yesterday.

Singh, 50, was found slumped on the driver’s seat. Police said it was fortunate he was not driving at the time of his death since he could have driven the car into the hospital or knocked persons down.

Investigators believe Singh died on Monday but no one took notice of him believing he was asleep in the car. According to police reports, Singh of Garth Road in Princes Town was found by a hospital employee at about midday.

The car was parked at the back of the SFGH along the entrance to the Naparima Bowl. The car was parked under a tree. Hospital employees told police Singh had no fixed place of abode and was living inside his vehicle for the past three months.

His wheelchair, a bottle of water and a bucket with a black pair of pants, was found outside the vehicle. Police suspect Singh died of natural causes since there were no marks of violence to suggest otherwise.

Yesterday, hospital employees expressed shocked over Singh’s death. Hospital Head of Security Vaughn Hamilton, told Newsday he last saw Singh alive at about 3 pm on Monday. “The last time I saw Singh alive was on Monday evening when someone was pushing him on his wheelchair. I cannot remember seeing him after,” Hamilton said.

Singh drove his car by means of specially-equipped metal handles attached to the pedals. District Medical Officer Dr Clem Ragbir viewed the body and ordered it removed to the nearby mortuary. Insp Phillips and PC Sahadeo of Homicide Division (south) are conducting investigations.