Bus Route crash takes two lives

Visiting Venezuelan Jose Alexis Gonzalez, 38, and Danmatie Harrilal, 32, of Carapichaima, a mother of one, became the country’s latest road fatilities on Christmas Day when the maxi-taxi in which they were travelling was involved in a three-vehicle smash-up on the Priority Bus Route. Harrilal’s eight-year-old son is in serious condition at Mt Hope Hospital. At around 11.30 am, a maxi-taxi driven by Purshishun Sharma was travelling west along the PBR in the vicinity of the Morvant intersection with nine passengers when it was slammed broadside by a car driven by visiting English resident Miles O’Connors (cousin of TTFA official Peter O’Connors) travelling in a southerly direction.

The maxi-taxi, on impact, drifted into the path of another maxi-taxi  travelling east, driven by Oscar Joseph.  According to an eyewitness, the maxi-taxi spun out of control and slammed into the second maxi-taxi. Passersby immediately swung into action, pulling out survivors. Police, paramedics of the Emergency Health Service (EHS) and Fire Services were also called into action to pull out the seriously injured parties. Reliving the experience, the second maxi-taxi’s driver, Oscar Joseph, was thankful that was alive. He told Newsday, “I have no idea what happened. We both got green lights. One minute I was approaching the intersection, next I saw this maxi coming at me, there was nothing I could have done. All I heard was a bang, then I saw this car at the side.” Efforts to talk to O’Connors was futile. At press time, a total of 17 persons had to seek medical attention.
Five persons from the second maxi-taxi were immediately treated and discharged. Nine people, including children from the first maxi, were warded.  Cpl Carol Cox-Hickson is leading the investigation.
 
In a separate incident on the Saddle Road, Maraval, an accident victim was robbed of $7,000. Police responded to an accident where the driver of a van travelling west lost control and slammed into a stability pole. Two men, who pretended to assist the driver, robbed him of $7,000 before running off. The injured man was rushed to the hospital before police arrived. When Newsday visited the scene, the police said they were in the dark because the vehicle had no driving permit or copy of insurance certificate and they had no idea who the injured man was. In addition, persons associated with the injured party were not cooperating with police. WPC Hector is investigating.