Three young women were killed in Tobago when two vehicles collided head-on in Black Rock early yesterday morning. The deadly accident left three others injured and rocked the island, as residents woke up to news of the triple tragedy.
According to police, the accident occurred close to 3 am when the driver of a Mitsubishi Lancer reportedly veered into the path of a Nissan Latio, resulting in a head-on collision.
Police said 20-year-old Alliyah Williams, 23-year-old Makeda Fraser and Patrice Julie Webb from Belmont in Trinidad died in the crash.
Both drivers and a third person, Ricardo Toussaint, sustained serious injuries and were being treated at hospital.
Williams and Fraser were passengers in the Nissan vehicle, while Webb was seated in the Lancer.
The incident pushed the island’s road fatality figure to nine for the year.
Road Safety Coordinator Brent Batson described the incidents as a sad day for Tobago.
Batson said yesterday, “Sadly that brings the road death toll to 87 compared to 85 for the same period last year and records Tobago’s ninth road traffic death compared to six for the same period last year.”
He stressed the need for safer driving practices.
“These fatal incidents are even more heartbreaking because they are preventable from a public safety standpoint. The police continue their road policing efforts and enforcement but drivers also need to operate vehicles understanding unsafe use will quickly and easily have severe results in injuries or death as we witnessed in Tobago.”
Meanwhile, the TTPS in a statement extended condolences to the relatives of those women killed in the accident.
The police service said, “We want to take this opportunity to appeal to all road users, to practise being vigilant on the roadways, to pay more attention to the roadways; remember you are not only driving for yourself, you are driving for those in your care and for the other drivers on the roadway.”
They added that as Tobago was approaching the Carnival season, there would be many activities throughout the island and stressed the importance of vigilance on the road.
Police said officers would be out on the roads in Tobago actively ensuring road safety and compliance with the laws.