In wake of yesterday's horrific three-car smash-up which claimed the lives of three people, Chaguanas mayor Orlando Nagessar is appealing that crash barriers be immediately placed along the Uriah Butler Highway.
The victims were identified as:
�2 Sherwin Thomas, of Main Road, Longdenville.
�2 Errol Francis, of Couva.
�2 Basdaye Punchoon, of Calcutta No 3, McBean, Couva.
Three others, Akeil Durham, Dwight Macaulay and David Peterson who received serious injuries were up to late yesterday warded at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. Police said around 5.03 am, a white Nissan B15, driven by Francis, crossed the median of the southbound lane of the highway near the Chaguanas Fire Station.
Francis's car, according to investigators, then collided with a blue Nissan B14 driven by Punchoon. The collision resulted in Punchoon's car being smashed into Thomas's white Suzuki jeep.
All three died on the spot. Commuters on their way to work were forced to remain in traffic for up to some three hours.
The scene was visited by ACP Fitzroy Frederick, Sgt Nawal, PC Terbaney and WPC Everard. Nagessar who said he was "disturbed and saddened" over the tragedy, added that "his heart went out" to the families of the victims. According to Nagessar, there was a proposal previously made by the Works and Transport Minister for barriers to be placed between the median of the highway.
Many road deaths, Nagessar said, occurred because of vehicles crossing the median and crashing into other vehicles. Urging that the barriers be placed before the end of the year, Nagessar called on motorist to obey the law and exercise caution while driving. "Motorist should observe the speed limits...We should have more police patrols, especially at morning time," Nagessar said.