Boat crash mars Great Race

Bruce McLean, of Lowlands, Tobago, sustained a broken leg when Predator 11 — a Tobago entrant in the Pirogue Class —manned by Bruce and his father David McLean, was run over when another pirogue and one of the larger race boats crashed into it at about 9.30 am as the racing boats began arriving at Store Bay. The horrifying incident was witnessed by the hundreds of people on shore who had flocked to Store Bay for the popular annual event. The injured man was subsequently brought ashore by one of the many boats in the area and rushed to the Scarborough Hospital by an EHS ambulance. It is suspected that the injured leg — which was completely “turned around” from its normal position — may have been broken in several places, and hospital sources indicated plans were being finalised to have him transferred to Trinidad for specialist attention.

The Predator 11, which is based at the Scarborough Port, almost sank after its stern section was virtually split open on impact. The damaged pirogue was eventually hauled ashore. There was no declared overall winner of the race as a result of this incident. However, Castrol Sensation, winner of the Sports 1 category and the first boat across the finish line in a time of one hour, 41 minutes and 40 seconds, emerged as the unofficial overall winner of the race. Race favourite Solo failed to finish when it broke down and had to be towed into Store Bay.

Rage, competing in the C Class, took the prize for the fastest boat to finish the race in one hour, 19 minutes and 52 seconds. In the ill-fated Pirogue category, Hero 11 emerged in winners’ row in a time of two hours, 45 minutes and 36 seconds. A race official indicated there would have to be an inquiry into the incident before an overall winner is declared. The Great Race crowd has dwindled significantly, as was most evident this year; with the hundreds who turned out a far cry from the thousands it attracted in previous years.