Landslide victims’ cremation today

The cremation follows a funeral service at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Maraval. The service starts at 10 am and the bodies will be taken to the crematorium in St James.

Vidya Narinesingh, 26, her sister Reena, 24, and Reena’s ten-month-old son Christian, of Gran Fonde Road, Maracas Bay, died from injuries after the tree crushed the cabin of the car driven by the women’s brother Sunil. They were in the backseat. Sunil and another sister Hema survived.

The five were on their way home and as they neared the lookout at the North Coast Road, Maracas, a huge tree, uprooted by a landslide after heavy rainfall, fell on the car.

Yesterday, Hema, who is at ward 14 of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, continued to be treated by doctors for a chipped bone and internal injuries, and is expected to undergo counselling for stress.

The 20-year-old woman said she is still traumatised over the deaths but hoped doctors would give her permission to attend the funeral of her sisters and nephew.

Sunil, who is at ward 24, said he too hoped to get permission to attend the funeral.

Newsday learnt that Christian will be placed in the same coffin with Reena for their cremation.

The accident is being investigated by Cpl Stephen Dowridge of the Maracas Bay Police Station. Yesterday, workmen from the Ministry of Works moved heavy equipment used for clearing debris to the compound of the police station. This measure was taken in anticipation of more landslides.