Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) sub- station crew foreman Gerald Simmons recuperates at the St Clair Medical Centre.
Photo: Michelle Loubon

Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) sub-station crew foreman Gerald Simmons says “certain things are unforseen” in the execution of his duties. He also said they were lucky they only sustained injuries and there were no fatalities.

Simmons, 45, electrician Clyde Khan, in his 20s, and technician Kenrick Ramsaroop, 27, were rushed to the St Clair Medical Centre on Wednesday. Simmons remains hospitalised while Khan and Ramsaroop were discharged. They were burnt after an explosion at a T&TEC sub-station in Port-of-Spain which left parts of Port-of-Spain in darkness. They were admitted to the surgical ward for medical treatment. Yesterday, T&TEC transported Khan to his Princes Town home while Ramsaroop was taken to his Chase Village home.

Recuperating at Ward 2, Simmons said: “We adopt safety procedures but certain things are unforseen. We can’t forsee these things. “It is the nature of our job. It is like when lightning flashes. It comes without warning. We were lucky there were only injuries and no fatalities. It could have been worse.” Pointing to the back of his head, Simmons said all he remembers “was hitting his head against a wall. “There was a blast. I can’t remember anything. I don’t know anything much about the other guys. But I know they, too, sustained burns. They were given treatment and medication for the burns,” said Simmons.

“The response from T&TEC has been good. I am putting my faith in God,” he said. The victims were visited by T&TEC general manager Jonathan Cumberbatch. Around noon, Ramsaroop was discharged. “I got small burns on the back of the neck and nothing on the hand.”
In a telephone interview, he said: “I don’t know much. I was rushed straight to the hospital. My burns are not that serious.” Ramsaroop said he didn’t know much since T&TEC was conducting investigations.
Upon his safe arrival home, Ramsaroop went into the temple to pray. “I am going to get some rest now,” he said. Although he didn’t know much about Khan, he said the T&TEC van was taking him to his Princes Town home. He did not know exactly where. Ramsaroop said: “He got burns at the back of his neck and hands. My burns were not that bad. His were a little more severe.”

“They gave us medication and ointments.” When contacted Annabelle Brasnell, communications officer at T&TEC, said: “Two of the men were released. We are expecting the third to be released soon. They are in high spirits. “They suffered minor slash burns from the heat of the explosion. They kept them for observation last night. The other two were liming and talking and chatting. We are glad and relieved it was not worse.”