Man falls from hoist to his death

Lester Frederick, of La Resource Street, East Dry River, left his Laventille home around 7 am yesterday telling his wife of 12 years, Elizabeth that he would be back later. He never kept his promise because hours later he was lying dead at his worksite.

Reports revealed that Frederick was on the fourth floor of the building, when he stepped onto a hoist to load materials.

The hoist gave way causing Frederick to be thrown several feet to the ground where he suffered a broken neck.

His colleagues looked on in horror at the lifeless body, as police officers awaited the arrival of District Medical Officer, Dr Clerk.

Leon Quildon, the hoist operator said that Frederick was not supposed to be on the hoist since it is only used for storing materials.

Workmen on the jobsite refused to work yesterday claiming that they were too traumatised over the death.

Several of the workmen claimed that they were never outfitted with construction hats or safety gear while on the job site.

Some of the workers believe that if Frederick had on a construction hat he might still be alive today.

Fire officers along with the police quickly cordoned off the area yesterday as members of the public attempted to get a closer view of the body.

A party of officers led by Ag Sgt Ajith Persad and including Cpl Hepburn and PC Ramberan went to the scene and carried out inquiries.

At the East Dry River home of the dead man, his wife Elizabeth could not hold back the tears as she was given a first hand account of how her husband met his tragic death.

She said that her husband was a good man and an excellent father to his children.

The grieving woman added that Frederick would often cook, assist her with the chores and was a family-oriented person.

When he died yesterday, undertakers found $2 in his pocket. His colleagues described him as a humble person. Frederick is the sixth person to be killed in accidents at job sites for the year so far. Cpl Hepburn is investigating.