Mechanic killed while repairing truck

Balkaran, 35, of Poui Trace, St Mary’s Village in Moruga, died shortly before midday on Wednesday at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), relatives said.

He worked at Alpha Transport located at Cumuto Road, Barrackpore.

Balkaran was repairing the truck in the presence of co-workers shortly after 9 am, when the truck part unexpectedly flew out and struck him on the head. Reports are that on impact, Balkaran was knocked unconscious. The mechanic, who lived with his mother, Seeratie Balkaran, 54, was taken to hospital where he later died.

The bereaved mother of two yesterday recalled the last moments she had with her only son.

“Jerry drank a cup of tea and told me he was going to work. That was around 7 am. My sister-in-law came here at about 10.30 am yesterday (Wednesday) and took me to the hospital. Someone had called to tell her that Jerry got in an accident on work,” Seeratie said.

Relatives arrived at the hospital shortly before 12 when doctors ushered them into a room and announced Balkaran had died.

“They brought out the body and the head was bandaged up. My son was a very nice person, very hard working. He did everything, he planted the crops around the yard, he was a mechanic, he was a truck driver,” the mother said.

She added that seven years ago, her husband Doodnath died of natural causes. Since then, Balkaran became the sole breadwinner and he took care of her. He was neither married nor had any children.

Relatives estimate that he had been working for the company for the past 17 years.

Police said that an autopsy performed at the mortuary of the SFGH yesterday stated his death with consistent with an accident.

Barrackpore police are continuing investigations.