Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:14 hours 47 min ago
Scotland Bay boating accident
Family seeks justice
Published: 2 Oct 2009
Thirteen-year-old Paige Welch looks at her arm which was reconstructed from muscle tissue and grafted skin. She has been released from the Boston Children’s Hospital in the US.
The family of 13-year-old American national Paige Welch has initiated legal action against a soldier, six weeks after the teenager lost her left arm during a boat accident in Chaguaramas. The boat engine made contact with Paige’s arm, almost severing it from below the armpit. The flesh on the arm was also completely stripped leaving behind bare bone. Welch’s aunt, Trina Aqui, during an interview at her Arima home, vowed that one way or the other, justice would be served.
She said a criminal and civil suit against the soldier would be filed. A livid Aqui said relatives wanted nothing more than “see the perpetrator locked up and the key thrown away.” The tragedy, Aqui said, had left her niece physically scarred, emotionally enervated and psychologically marred. Praising the efforts of local doctors, Aqui said they “did their best, given the resources and equipment available.” She said during the initial operation, an artery was taken from Paige’s left thigh and connected to her mangled arm to allow blood to flow.
The teenager has undergone eight operations since her return to the US, including skin taken from her right thigh to be grafted on her arm. “Paige is very much afraid and insecure as to what the future holds,” Aqui said. “She’s in therapy to learn how to bend her elbow. A large piece of muscle tissue was taken from her back to actually create an arm.” That procedure left a scar running from Paige’s armpit to the hip. Aqui said if her niece did not make progress in learning to bend the elbow, she would have no use of the arm.
Paige has been confined to home, unable to attend school and can barely manage to do things for herself, including walking. Withdrawn from the world around her, Paige experiences sleepless nights often tossing and turning in bed, her aunt said. “She’s going through a lot of turmoil...At nights, I would hear her moaning and see her shaking in her sleep,” she said. “She has not reached the stage where she wants to talk about it.” Paige’s mother Racquel, who threw herself over her daughter when she saw the pirogue approaching, got a two-inch gash on her back.
“When the doctors lifted the flap of skin from my sister’s back, they actually saw her spine,” Aqui said. She said the accident also left Racquel with a shattered left elbow and very little movement in the back. “My sister can barely bend her back. Instead of an elbow, she has a metal plate and five screws holding the bones together. “Her fingers can only extend to two inches,” Aqui said. Saying that Racquel could not lift a cup of tea, Aqui said doctors told her sister she would never be able to hold her hand straight out.
Because of diabetes, the muscle tissue has not begun to heal on Raquel back. Aqui said it was only when the tissue began to heal that the bones would begin to heal. Both Paige and her mother must take several doses of morphine daily. Aqui said: “Paige has to take morphine every four hours. If she misses, or if a dose is late, she will be in excruciating pain and starts to cry. “During the last surgery, doctors had to give her oxycodon because the morphine had no effect on her or her mother,” she added.
Exorbitant expenses
Relatives have shelled out close to $300,000 just to cover expenses at Medical Associates Private Hospital at St Joseph, Aqui said. Additionally, US$32,000 was forked out to have Paige airlifted from Trinidad to Boston Children’s Hospital in the US. “At Boston, expenses have added up to close to US$200,000 and they keep rising,” Aqui said. Saying the medical bills had put a financial strain on the family, Aqui said relatives were planning to seek the Government’s assistance. She said a local bank account was opened, but it has generated less than $3,000 in donations.
No assistance from police
On the day of the accident, Aqui claimed she was told by two Coast Guard officers that the soldier was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol while steering the boat. The soldier has neither apologised to the family nor has he offered to assist financially, Aqui said. Attempts to extract information from the police have also proven futile.
“Everytime we call the Carenage station, we would be told the investigator is not there or he cannot come to the phone,” Aqui said. “The police and Coast Guard are very gruff and unco-operative.” She said the US Embassy had been relentlessly seeking the family’s interest and had provided them with certain information to assist their case.
What happened:
On August 16, a 28-foot pirogue driven by a private assigned to the T&T Regiment smashed into a kayak carrying Paige, her mother Racquel and her cousin Lance at Scotland Bay, Chaguaramas. Paige’s left arm made contact with the boat’s engine resulting in it being almost severed mere inches below the armpit. The bow of the boat rammed into Lance’s right foot, causing his Achilles tendon to be severed.
Well now you will experience
Well now you will experience what the legal system is all about in the U.S.
Mr. Soldier, you will be entering into the big leagues.
This child is damaged for life, and this family is suffering physically, financially and emotionally; and they are not going to let anyone off with a kiss and a smile.
Criminal and civil suit coming our way. Sorry for you Mr. Soldier.
I wish you all the best
I wish you all the best Paige and a speedy recovery.
Unfortunately in this land of T&T you may have to settle for just 'coconut' justice, which may equate to no justice at all.
If this trial is not settled
If this trial is not settled out of court by the government, the soldier, the coast guard, and the police are all government employees. Then this trial will bring to light the incompetence, the laziness, and the corruption of all three services as well as the current government. I am hoping for a trial just for this fact.
Good luck to the Welch Family.
Let's face reality. Look
Let's face reality. Look down the road. Do you think the police will turn against one their own security people? The Carenage police investigator can never be available when the family calls the station, which is almost the same story for many poor people seeking information or seeking to get the police to investigate a case here in TT. They suspect the soldier was drunk. But was any toxicology test done? If not, then all that 'drunk' talk is hearsay. They will come up against a brick wall every time they seek to get information. And don't ask about the entries in the station diary. This is an extremely difficult time for the family of Paige. 'Tell me who to kill' (a quote from some piece of West Indian literature). I'm not advocating killing anyone, just quoting a piece from West Indian literature.
The seas off Chaguaramas are extremely dangerous. Nothing short of madness takes place there sometimes, especially on Sunday evenings. Some years ago we were coming back to the mainland in a pirogue and a nearby yacht piloted by 2 'crazies' were just bobbing and weaving around and nearly ran into us. After that, I ring me ears. Never me again in a pirogue there in Chaguaramas.
Let's hope these people recover healthwise. As for justice, I'm not sure about that, but hopefully, the evidence will not disappear or the witnesses will not get amnesia or 'blindness'.
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Mr.Soldier man should be
Mr.Soldier man should be extradicted to the US to face criminal charges then he go know.
ajfyzabadbutlertown:--- My
ajfyzabadbutlertown:---
My empathy goes out to this child and her family.
Taking into consideration the goings-on in this country, we may tend to believe that perhaps this family would be fighting a loosing battle.
But we have to learn how to leave the door open and never say never. The unth
This family if they are intent on fighting for justice, and to seek adequate recompense will equip themselves with capable legal professionals who will fight tooth and nail for their rights.
And remember our CoP has promised to clean up the system, and has already started, so we can expect that he will knock heads to ensure that professionalism is brought back under his watch. He is on a roll and may still make a substantive difference.
We can hope that this family will receive the justice they so deserve.
This child is 13 and only starting her life. Remember when you were 13 - you could dream of your future - a bright one too - with no thought of any barriers ever coming in your way.
I have attempted to slight no one, nor have I been unreasonable or volatile with this blog. - I have complied with the guidelines?
I don't expect that this blog will be removed.
Gardenia
Gardenia. How many people in
Gardenia. How many people in T&T is willing to give evidence in a trial? how many people in T&T is only concerned of what happens to their owns? How many people in T&T is really willing to change things? and to act instead of only talking? and to do something instead of complaining? Only when it is your turn you realise how the country you live in is like. I remember that passage from "1984" by George Orwell: "First, they came to take my neibourhg because he was a socialist. But I didnt care because I wasnt a socialist......"
Victorias, I understand from
Victorias, I understand from where you are coming.
But we need to change the attitude of our people. If we simply look at them as same-o, same-o, and walk away, we may never see any change in this century. We are no different than some other countries. If you are able to read the news coming out of Chicago today, you will find that the police and others are crying out for help from the public. A brilliant black kid was murdered, in full view of a large crowd, it was caught on tape, and no one, and I mean no one has called the police to provide a tip, even though they know who the violent kids are. They are sticking to this "no snitch" code of conduct.
But we have to start building up some confidence in ourselves that may be, perhaps our people will step forward. We have to work on getting one person at a time to accept the fact that they too are part of the solution. To those of you who have children, you have the privilege to teach them what is right from wrong.
Sorry to tell you that they keep quiet even when it is their own. There was a case in Toronto a few years ago whereby a Trinidadian kid witnessed his friend gunned down; he was urged to speak up, but he kept this code of silence: They entered the funeral chapel and gunned him down too taking with him the information they so desired.
George Orwell's - 1984 not the only one to be referenced. I heared a Jewish person tell of stories - of 3 persons (Jewish, Catholic Priest, and another) in prison in Russia - they came for the Jew, no one protested; they came for the next, the Priest did not protest; and when they came for the Priest, there was no one there to protest for him. They were all slaughterd.
We have to start educating our people, especially the young of their responsibility for their survival. We have to stand up for each other as we are all interconnected - linked arm in arm regardless of race, creed or ethnicity, male, female, young or old.
Sorry to say, but the older generation have to shoulder the biggest percentage of the blame for where we are today. Just look at our politicians coming all the way from the President, The Prime Minister all the way down ... look at their behaviour ... what examples they are showing to our people and our youths. But we can make a difference, one at a time, as it will add up.
Remember what Ms. Brown said in connection with the proposal of "Compulsory Service" - start educating our children from age 3 upward if we want to fix the problem.
We still have hope, and we can start "me" first .. stepping out on a limb ..
Fine Gardenia, well said.
Fine Gardenia, well said. Now you can go and give a letter of advise to the family of Peter Garcia. Just to start up your project with something.
This is a horrible horrible
This is a horrible horrible story with an even worse ending for this young girl and her family.
Absolutely NOTHING will come out of the so-called investigation by the Police.
Our Prime Minister and his useless Minister of National Security are clueless, spineless and totally incompetent when it comes to managing the crime situation in our Country, and everything else for that matter.
Worse, these two gentlemen don't even seem to care, or even appear to care. I can just imagine both of them looking at the heart-wrenching photograph of Paige on the front page of the Guardian this morning, steupsing, and turning the page.
I do hope though that the Aqui family keep pursuing this matter until, as Mrs Aqui said, justice would be served.
But my heart tells me that it will be a sad realization for them how backward and lawless our Country is.
I am backing these Aqui /
I am backing these Aqui / Welch family 100%. I will not like to label this an accident because in this case the authorities have been aware of the safety concerns the public has been airing for years now.This is a case of gross neglect on the part of Tourism Department , Coast Guard ,Fishing Associations , boating enthusiasts , Water Sport Operators and all who use the waterways.
It is no secret that people also get injured in the sea in Tobago regularly . These hapless visitors leave Trinidad and Tobago like dogs licking their wounds and it never makes the news. A few years ago, a pastors wife whose legs got cut up by a boat at Pigeon Point ,mere hours after she arrived in Tobago never made the news.
The Coast guards man who cause Welch's injury was wrong but the authorities who neglect controlling activities on the water are what the real problem is.
Is it not time someone sues the state for not doing its job. Big bucks will not re-attach this child's arm but will force the state to manage well.
POOR TOURISTS and POOR LOCALS TOO.
Sad to say, but this case
Sad to say, but this case may actually be a no-win for the family. The no-win situation in this case would also be true EVEN if the incident occured in the US. The fact of the matter is that the soldier called in sick that day, & was not on military business (official or unofficial) when he was operating the boat resulting in the accident. This would absolve the military and the government from any fault here. If however, the boat operator was navigating a military boat, then the family MAY (a big "may") have a case where the military & T&T Government are held liable.
Also, try as one might, the US Government & US law has no power in this case (and it should not). This occured within the domicility of T&T's waters, where our laws apply. The T&T government cannot intervene when one of our citizens gets injurred by an on duty or off- duty police officer on US soil...so why should US law apply in this case?
Family's options: (1) Hire a good lawyer, a shark who can "make" the case that the soldier was acting in an official capacity that day, therefore the T&T Govt is financially liable for all expenses incurred...plus psycological damages. It's a long shot, but worth a try. Remember...we can safely assume that the soldier is not an heir to a Royal family, so a civil case may be symbolic, but expensive & useless.
(2) Sue everyone. From the boat manufacturer, the boat's engine manufacturer, the grocery the soldier bought his alcohol from, the place the soldier rented or borrowed the boat from (for renting or loaning a boat to a drunk person). It may not work for all, but the strategy basically is like "shaking a tree to see what falls out". Sue everyone. There's more, but I'll leave it right there.
Bless.
Fidel...NY.
Sad to say, but this case
Sad to say, but this case may actually be a no-win for the family. The no-win situation in this case would also be true EVEN if the incident occured in the US. The fact of the matter is that the soldier called in sick that day, & was not on military business (official or unofficial) when he was operating the boat resulting in the accident. This would absolve the military and the government from any fault here. If however, the boat operator was navigating a military boat, then the family MAY (a big "may") have a case where the military & T&T Government are held liable.
Also, try as one might, the US Government & US law has no power in this case (and it should not). This occured within the domicility of T&T's waters, where our laws apply. The T&T government cannot intervene when one of our citizens gets injurred by an on duty or off- duty police officer on US soil...so why should US law apply in this case?
Family's options: (1) Hire a good lawyer, a shark who can "make" the case that the soldier was acting in an official capacity that day, therefore the T&T Govt is financially liable for all expenses incurred...plus psycological damages. It's a long shot, but worth a try. Remember...we can safely assume that the soldier is not an heir to a Royal family, so a civil case may be symbolic, but expensive & useless.
(2) Sue everyone. From the boat manufacturer, the boat's engine manufacturer, the grocery the soldier bought his alcohol from, the place the soldier rented or borrowed the boat from (for renting or loaning a boat to a drunk person). It may not work for all, but the strategy basically is like "shaking a tree to see what falls out". Sue everyone. There's more, but I'll leave it right there.
Bless.
Fidel...NY.
Fidel here is my take on the
Fidel here is my take on the Gov't not being responsible.
Currently I am in the US armed forces and I have been following this case and it is totally rediculous that the soldier hasn't recieved any deciplinary action from his superiors, but knowing this is Trinidad it is expected.
In the US military for handling any moving vehicle or doing anything dangerous we are made to sign a form saying that we will be trained on these devices or operations we do. The reason for this is that, they are asured we will be able to operate the machinery or equipment, we use that does not belong to the Gov't. The negative behind this is that if you become injured or do any damage and the investigation finds out that you are not trained, then you will be delivered deciplinary action, in this case it probably will be career ending but then again, we talking about Trinidad.
The other note, for the US military, is that the only way to call in sick is by visiting the registered nurse or doctor on base to certify of the ailment, oops again we talking about trinidad. The nurse verifies the ailment and determines the necessary time off. The time off period is to remain at your residence, where you live. Recently, one of our junior ranking members, recieved in trini terms "sick leave" and we went to his place of residence and he was not there, we are currently processing deciplinary action for him not being home, but in Trinidad lack, of a deciplined military and society this will never happen.
I hope he is deciplined and/or it really goes to some sort of civil trial and he pays for his lack and the country's lack of responsibility, I would also try to sue the Gov't for there lack of action. This is all suggestions because these things will never happen in Trinidad, the only thing guaranteed in Trinidad is fete, liming and murders.
And No I am not coming home until Trinidad is released from corruption and crime, oops! I may never return home, still have 10% hope somewhere in me though.
Fidel are you an Attorney?
Fidel are you an Attorney? Did or do you study law? Somehow how I don't share your "legal" views on this tragedy with regards to your accessment....and I work a lot with Attorneys!
Ah Trini Too
Oh boy, it seems that I
Oh boy, it seems that I rattled a few feathers with my last post...hahahaha.
Ok, my response to "Trinimantired": The example you cite in your post has no bearing on this case & would be irrelavant if the soldier was not on duty, and simply operating the boat on his own time. Again, that's IF. Now whatever punishment the T&T military wants to impose regardless, that's up to them; however, if the soldier called in sick & was off duty, then the victims would not have a case against the Govt, no matter if u stood on a mountaintop & yelled at the sky.
Remember...if u work for Coca Cola, Carib, Goldman Sachs, TSTT, Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, McDonalds or whomever, does not mean that your employer is liable to the victims of an accident that was your fault, if the accident occurred on your own personal time...while u were off-duty. That's just a fact of life...not an opinion.
@ "Ah Trini Too": Hmmm, why so angry at me? Wierd...lol. Anyway just to answer your question: Yes, I studied law, finance & Investments, & Economis, & I work in the Investment Banking field on Wall Street. That means nothing btw, so I don't know why u asked. Whether or not u work with lawyers is also irrelavant...lol.
This case is common sense. My initial post simply clarified some issues brought up in some earlier posts. Fact: US law does not apply to T&T. This unfortunate incident occurred in T&T...not the US. Therefore only T&T law applies...Fact. A degree in Law is not required to know that. Maybe if u ask Obama to invade T&T and impose US law here, u might get your wish.
Fidel...NY.
Who issued the sick leave?
Who issued the sick leave? An army doctor or a doctor working for the army.
Who approved the sick leave? The soldier's officer.
Was the soldier really sick? No.
An army doctor gave a soldier sick time which was approved by an officer. Both members of the TnT government. And the government is not responsible, how?
Did the government put these people in there current positions?
Yes they did. So the government is responsible for this terrible thing.
Yes US laws do not apply to TnT.
A good lawyer will find the laws that do apply and will also have this story running on Fox, CNN and MSNBC. A little blond girl horribly maimed in a foreign country. Where the government doesnt care. This story will run 24/7. Every citizen of TnT will be asked about 'poor little Paige' when they travel to the US, Canada, and Europe.
You say you are in the investment field on Wall St. does that mean you are one of the people we can blame for the economic crisis that is facing the world. Or are you a loyal PNM supporter who believes there is no economic crisis. Also did you tell the government to over pay for those real estate purchases.
You shouldnt tell people you work in the Investment Banking Field on Wall St. Because right now, lawyers, politicians and crack whores have more respect than Investment Bankers.
Just kidding.
Have a nice day. :)
Not mad at you by any
Not mad at you by any means...sorry if it came across that way. You live in America so you have freedom of speech, good for you. Do Trinis really have rights? Does Trinidad really have "laws", and if so for who and what kind? Besides I think your opinion/facts is wrong. Here's a scenario to ponder, did the off-duty soldier injure the family, or the military boat? Now I'm not asking who caused it, but what caused it. Let me give you another scenario, what happens when a machine is defective and someone is hurt using it, who's liable the user or the manufacturer, and why? And "Americans" can get justice any part of the world, period! I give you the Balo kidnapping case, follow it and you'll see, the 9-11 planners who were brought back from Pakistan, among a few.
Ah Trini Too
Oh boy, it seems that I
Oh boy, it seems that I rattled a few feathers with my last post...hahahaha.
Ok, my response to "Trinimantired": The example you cite in your post has no bearing on this case & would be irrelavant if the soldier was not on duty, and simply operating the boat on his own time. Again, that's IF. Now whatever punishment the T&T military wants to impose regardless, that's up to them; however, if the soldier called in sick & was off duty, then the victims would not have a case against the Govt, no matter if u stood on a mountaintop & yelled at the sky.
Remember...if u work for Coca Cola, Carib, Goldman Sachs, TSTT, Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, McDonalds or whomever, does not mean that your employer is liable to the victims of an accident that was your fault, if the accident occurred on your own personal time...while u were off-duty. That's just a fact of life...not an opinion.
@ "Ah Trini Too": Hmmm, why so angry at me? Wierd...lol. Anyway just to answer your question: Yes, I studied law, finance & Investments, & Economis, & I work in the Investment Banking field on Wall Street. That means nothing btw, so I don't know why u asked. Whether or not u work with lawyers is also irrelavant...lol.
This case is common sense. My initial post simply clarified some issues brought up in some earlier posts. Fact: US law does not apply to T&T. This unfortunate incident occurred in T&T...not the US. Therefore only T&T law applies...Fact. A degree in Law is not required to know that. Maybe if u ask Obama to invade T&T and impose US law here, u might get your wish.
Fidel...NY.
Fidel...NY.
@ Penal: I think u need to
@ Penal: I think u need to read my first post that I wrote @ 11:01am. I clearly stated the scenario that the family is presented with, and how a "shark" of a lawyer may have to approach the case.
Also, as far as my profession is concerned, it was stated on my 2nd post @ 3:21pm as a rebuttal to a question. Another poster asked me "who am I...am I a lawyer etc".
If this offends u, then u obviously have further issues in your life to deal with...that's not my problem.
Anyway, regardless of who approves sick leave, at that time it's becomes the responsibilty of the individual, the actions or infractions they committ on their own time. For example: If u work for KFC as a cashier, and you decide to call in sick one day...whether or not you lied to your employer (KFC) as per if you're truly sick, KFC would not be held liable for a crime or for an accident you committ while you were faking your illness.
Again: My first post @ 11:01 merely stated that the family will need to hire a good lawyer who can maybe argue the case that the Govt was at fault. This isn't a Republican vs Democrat vs PNM vs UNC vs COP vs NJACK kinda' thing. It's a COMMON SENSE kinda' thing.
Btw, the answer is "YES". I and my firm & firms just like mine, were largely responsible for the current Global Financial Crisis. Also responsible is the US Govt which 15 yrs ago introduced the Community Reinvestment Act which broke open the gateway wide apart to easy credit/easy mortgage lending. Also to blame are the individuals who purchased homes & multiple homes that they could not afford & should not have owned.
So ummmmmmm, exactly what did that have to do with the plight if this lil' girl & her mother???
Yes Penal...You guessed right ---- You're an idiot.
Fidel...NY.
Fidel your right in that if
Fidel your right in that if you commit a crime on your own time your ass is grass, but if you killed someone on your time using a KFC vehicle how could KFC not be liable? Unless he stole it (unauthorize use)of course.
Ah Trini Too
I totally agree with
I totally agree with Fidel....the circumstances require a "shark" and nailing the T&T Gov't for it ..whether he was on/off duty will be the key. Also "sue everyone" ...Let me not forget to say what a horrible horrible "accident" ..I could have died just reading about the pain this child is in ...I support her family ..it might take time, strength, cooperation and a little bit of underhandness but GO FOR IT !! Sad to say ..this child will never get back to the happy person she was before the accident. Good luck!
"Gloria" - Please inform me.
"Gloria" - Please inform me. I have not heard about the pastor's wife and would be very interested in finding out more on this as I too have been affected by a similar incident. Please contact me if you get this via email to bqwong@gmail.com. If for some reason this post is not published can someone please get it to "Gloria"
Fidel- very
Fidel- very impressive
Investment Banker, very brave person to acknowledge that he is in this day and age, I appreciate your loyalty which is stimulated by your cockyness to earn or squander other peoples money, don't worry I am parallel to you, we blow stuff up and invade countries in the name of freedom, so me and you somewhat have control over the world.
Crashing the world economy and policing the world is the same in some strange demented way.
On the topic at hand, no the Gov't is not responsible for his actions but he is technically a Gov't asset or in common terms Gov't issue because he signed the contract basically giving his life to his country in the name of patriotism or in TnT pappi-showing in the military. He agreed to be on duty 24/7 and abide by the rules of some type of law. So basically he represents the Gov't or I should say, he should represent the Gov't, I guess he did, practically: irrational, dishonest, lack of judgement, untrained. I think you are right, the Gov't cannot do anything to him because he is acting the way they expected him to. BRILLIANT.
His leadership therefore has all the right to decipline him in the real world but In TnT this will never happen. When you look at the economic circle or in a proper legal world not TnT he is at fault.
One question, when are you and your co-horts going to crash the worlds economy again, please tell all and how are the hudge funds doing these days. No we dont have any invasions planned because the economy has crashed so invasions will probably be on hold. Retirement plans and wars these days do the same thing, they don't last long and perform the way we hope.
But I do know TnT is not carrying this case anywhere so all these articles are just what they are words. Maybe some of your big shot friends can help the family pay for the medical expenses. Sorry don't want to distract your profits from the golfing fund or do you work on Wall st?, I did, 110 Wall. I know for a fact I am poorer not being on Wall st but happier, money never buys you happiness, but you maybe the honest banker. No harm done.
I pray that her family finds peace in the end and only god can judge us but we all know how god or karma works.
I am a Canadian citizen who
I am a Canadian citizen who was born in Trinidad. While I love my birth country and have visited many times bringing friends I now fear it is not a safe place to bring my son. The violence and TOTAL LACK of action or even caring shown by the various levels of government and so called protective agencies (police, army, coast guard) is absolutely appalling. This family are dear relatives of mine and this tragedy is beyond heart breaking, knowing all they are going through, especially a sweet innocent child like Paige. SHAME on the police and this so called investigator. What if it was YOUR child or YOUR family? Listen up soldier boy ... if the law doesn't get you there is still God to answer to.
My heart goes out to this
My heart goes out to this young person I wish I could help but the ethics of my profession do not allow me to offer my services as an Attorney....I will say though if the pirogue was being used in the course of duty then the Attorney General may be liable. Also taking legal action against the individual driver would not be sufficient to recover all the compensation. Consider the principle of res ipsa loquitur This means the incident speaks for itself
Another thought on this
Another thought on this matter comes to mind...if the military man was not on duty one would have to investigate the circumstances surrounding the use of the pirogue e.g. was he authorised to use same , did the Regiment ensure the military man followed the guidelines and rules for the use of the pirogue....were there proper rules in place for the use of the vessel.....these are aspects of the law of negligence that would apply to rope in the Regiment and the Attorney General into the case