Balandra bridge has collapsed, causing distress to nine communities along Trinidad's north-east coast. The bridge–which provides access to areas such as Toco, Rampanalgas and far-flung Matelot–collapsed around 12.45 pm yesterday. Terry Rondon, councillor for the area, said the old bridge collapsed and the crane which was being driven on it fell into the river. The crane was being operated on the new bridge nearby. No one was injured, however residents and visitors were forced to abandon their vehicles on either side of the bridge and make the trek in mud, along loose, wooden planks used as a makeshift bridge.
Most of them wore forlorn expressions as they expressed concerns about the security of their vehicles. Last August, the Caroni Bailey bridge collapsed, causing the death of one man and injuring others. Yesterday mothers wrapped their children in their arms and walked cautiously over the makeshift bridge in the rain. Sookdeo Narine, of Curepe, and Nigel Umaid, of Chaguanas, were on an excursion in Toco with 13 other people. They all crossed over the broken bridge with no more than the clothes on their backs, complaining that they had to call for transportation.
"What about our unattended vehicles?" Narine asked.
Young men from the area came out to assist the women, especially the elderly, who experienced difficulty making their way across the makeshift bridge. Those who were on the beaches and bathing in the rivers cut short their activities on hearing the news, but still found themselves stranded at the broken bridge. Both Indra Sinanan Ojah-Maharaj, MP for Toco/Sangre Grande, and Rondon were working feverishly to get people to their homes. Around 3 pm, Rondon said he was told that engineers were on their way with a Bailey bridge. However, at 6.20 pm, the bridge had not yet arrived. Maxis were on either side of the road, waiting to shuttle people to their homes.
