Businessman escapes from stuck car

IN WHAT police have described as a bizarre escape, kidnapped South businessman Praim Batchasingh, 62, bolted from his abductors’ Honda Civic while the kidnappers were trying to push the vehicle out of thick mud inside a track — five hours after Batchasingh was snatched at gunpoint from his quarry on Tuesday evening.  And while Batchasingh was at home yesterday with relieved relatives, police sources told Newsday they planned to visit the track where the kidnappers’ car was stuck, hoping that they could find clues. According to police sources, at around 7 pm on Wednesday, the four kidnappers were somewhere between Gran Couva and Brasso with Batchasingh, when they spotted a police vehicle heading in their direction. Fearing that the police were on their trail, the kidnappers panicked and swerved into a muddy track, off the main road.

Their car subsequently got stuck in mud and three of the men alighted from the back seat to try to push the car out of the mud, leaving Batchasingh alone while the fourth kidnapper was preoccupied at the steering wheel, trying to manoeuvre the car out of the mud. Seeing an opportunity to escape, Batchasingh bolted from the car and ran through the thick bushes, pursued by the kidnappers who fired several shots. However, Batchasingh managed to elude them. The 62-year-old man later flagged down a passing vehicle and was taken to his Tabaquite home, where the police were summoned. Batchasingh, who was beaten by his abductors, was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he was treated and discharged. The man, part owner of Batchasingh’s Quarry Ltd, was snatched shortly after 2 pm on Tuesday, while at his quarry with his workmen. Reports revealed four gunmen pulled up in a white Honda Civic car, grabbed Batchasingh and bundled him into the car. Up to late yesterday no arrests had been made and Chaguanas detectives are investigating.