Boy falls into oil-slicked river

On September 7, Jabari Antonio, seven, a student of the Vance River RC School was on his way home from classes when he too slipped and fell while crossing the bridge and got oil on his clothes and skin. Antonio, relatives said now has a skin infection. Early yesterday morning, angry residents blocked the road and set fire to debris causing a massive traffic pile-up and forcing students and workers to turn back. Petrotrin officials hurried to the scene yesterday to conduct investigations.

Jerome of Fitz Lane, Vance River told Newsday that on Wednesday, his son fell forward into the river barely managing to hold up his head to avoid his face going down into the oily slick. “His entire front, chest, hands, private parts and legs were soaked in the oil and he has not been the same since that experience,” Jerome said. He added that apart from the emotional trauma his son endured, his groin area is now swollen and painful - symptoms Jerome believes to be directly linked to the fall into the oily river. Yesterday, the worried father took his son to the Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre for further treatment. “It seems like a pipeline burst and all the oil come down and wet the bridge,” the father of six said.

“We reported it to Petrotrin because another child had slipped on the oil and fell into the river in September. Workmen came and all they do was put sand on the oil puddles. No caution tape, no danger signs...nothing. While walking, I turned to talk to a child behind me only to hear my boy scream out. When I checked, he was in the river,” Jerome said.

Area councillor Gerald Debisette visited yesterday and notified Member of Parliament Nicole Olivierre who is also Energy Minister.

“She has promised to address the situation,” Debisette said.