OTTO CARRINGTON & CARISA LEE
An Arima Borough Corporation employee assisting in preparations for Borough Day celebrations was crushed yesterday when a piece of heavy construction equipment—a steamroller—fell and rolled over him.
Police said Aldwyn Kurton, a driver with the corporation, was fixing the steamroller at the Arima Velodrome yesterday around 11 am when the tragedy occurred.
Eyewitnesses told police that Kurton was stooping down next to the steamroller, which was in an elevated position, attempting to repair it ,when it suddenly fell and rolled, pinning him down and crushing him.
An alarm was raised and other corporation workers rushed to his assistance. He was quickly taken to the nearby Arima General Hospital. However, Kurton died while undergoing treatment.
Kurton was an Arima Borough Corporation employee for almost 20 years. He was recently married and father of a daughter.
Speaking after the incident, Arima Mayor Balliram Maharaj said he was heartbroken by Kurton’s death and the manner in which he lost his life.
“On behalf of myself, the entire borough council, the staff, and his co-workers, we offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family. At this time, God has taken him, but we are very concerned for the family and look forward to supporting them,” he explained.
The mayor shied away from giving specific details on what he heard occurred.
The mayor said, “The members of the council will have to decide on the next steps. As the investigation is being conducted by the police and the senior staff at the council, there may be many details we cannot discuss until we hear further from the staff and senior management.”
He added, “He was born in Arima and was one of the hardest-working individuals we’ve lost.”
Councillor for Calvary Janiece Scott said Kurton loved Arima.
Scott said, “It is a difficult period for the council and the corporation.”
The councillor said they will try to assist the family in the best way they can.
She described Kurton as a “helpful, respectful man who will go out of his way to help anybody.”
Former Arima mayor and Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian also extended condolences to Kurton’s wife, daughter and family.
Morris-Julian said she knew him during her tenure as mayor.
“He was always a pleasant and amicable person,” she said.
She said he was a driver for the corporation and described him as “quite reliable.”
The minister added that his death was “really devastating.”
“May his soul rest in peace, he was a good one.”
Police are conducting investigations into the incident.