Hole swallows 3 cars, cop hospitalised

The officer — PC Daren Baptiste — attached to the Mon Repos Highway Patrol suffered minor head injuries and is warded in stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Police reports stated that between 8 pm Friday and 1 am yesterday four vehicles — three cars and a truck — had fallen into the hole, which is six feet in diameter and two feet in depth. The hole is located on the left side of the southbound lane in the vicinity of Tarouba.

When Sunday Newsday visited the scene of the accident yesterday a portion of the roadway near the hole was cordoned off. Two barrels and red sand were thrown into the hole.

Contractor R Balkaran told Sunday Newsday that the hole was created after a cylinder under the foundation of the roadway collapsed on Thursday.

He said that on Friday he was contacted by an official of the Ministry of Works who contracted him to repair the road. Balkaran estimated that the repairs will be completed by today.

According to a police report, at about 11.20 pm, PC Baptiste was standing on the road, near the hole, directing traffic. The report stated that an approaching car, driven by a TTEC estate sergeant swerved to avoid the hole and slammed into the policeman.

Baptiste was knocked unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital where he received emergency treatment. Mon Repos police are continuing investigations.