Aftermath of scaffolding crash

DOCTORS at Port-of-Spain General Hospital have told scaffolding crash victim Floyd Simmonds — who had to have his left leg amputated — is now in danger of losing the other leg. Simmonds’ left leg was amputated on Wednesday night in an emergency surgery but the father of one said he is not too worried about losing the other leg.

He said whatever the outcome, he is ready and prepared to deal with it. Simmonds who lives at Bath Street in Laventille, said on Wednesday his entire life changed with the accident and the amputation of his leg.

His mother who lives in the United States is expected in the country shortly and Simmonds was told every effort will be made to make him comfortable as possible. He was visited by officials of his company Movalite and told that he will be compensated for his injuries. On Wednesday, Simmonds was on the tenth floor when the scaffolding collapsed. The father of one maintained that he is happy to be alive and owes his life to another construction worker Jerry Lewis.

Lewis visited Simmonds at hospital yesterday and told him that he was happy to assist. Lewis told Newsday that he did not know Simmonds, but when he saw Simmonds fall to the ground about 100 feet when the scaffolding crashed on Wednesday he ran to his assistance.

Lewis who was working in the yard of the construction site said that when Simmonds fell, he removed pieces of wood and steel from his body.

He said that both legs of Simmonds were twisted and he was in a lot of pain. Wasting no time, Lewis flagged down a car and rushed Simmonds to Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

He expressed sadness that Simmonds lost his left leg but he is hoping for divine intervention and believes that with prayers, the right leg of Simmonds may be saved.

Relatives of Simmonds said yesterday that they will be providing him with all the support necessary and feel that everything will work out fine.

They added that Simmonds has the option of being outfitted with a prosthetic leg.

Other victims who are from four different companies have been given the assurance that they too will be compensated. They have been told that they will receive their full salary.

Three of the 11 victims were discharged from hospital yesterday, one of them scheduled for surgery next week while eight others remain warded. Representatives of NH International visited some of the injured workers on Wednesday.