Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Southern Division Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mukharji Rampersad told Guardian Media yesterday that the rescue that ended on Sunday morning, seven hours after Mitchell fell, was complex.
Rampersad, who oversaw the rescue, said the Southern Division got the call at 12.20 am, responded immediately and learned that a party patron had fallen. He said they got to Mitchell within an hour of her fall.
“We had made contact with the person. She was unable to say anything significant or noteworthy,” Rampersad said.
Land Search and Rescue personnel rappelled down the northeastern side of the hill. They found Mitchell 150 metres from where she slipped on a flat surface protruding out. Rescuers took measures to protect her spine and broken limbs. She was still breathing but in and out of consciousness, only responding to her name. However, there was little to no movement in her lower extremities.
Rampersad said rescuers encountered difficulties returning to the top as terrain was unstable, with trees, roots and rocks preventing a smooth ascent. He said they had to clear the pathway every two feet they moved as the Sked (basic rescue system) they had snagged on trees.
“We had to clear a space to package the patient onto a Sked and hoist it up the face of the cliff. We faced bees inside the rocks on the face of the hill. We had to deal with poor lighting alongside the rock and unstable conditions at the time.”
When rescuers finally reached the top, they handed Mitchell to the Emergency Health Services, who took her to the San Fernando General Hospital. Mitchell died at 7.20 am.
In getting approval for a fete, a promoter approaches the magistrates’ court for an occasional licence, which requires sign-offs from several agencies, including the Police Service and Fire Service.
Rampersad said the Fire Service would have done its due diligence in looking at the event, venue and size and conducted a risk assessment to eliminate most risks.
While some have argued on social media that the hill may be unsafe since persons may become intoxicated during an event, Rampersad said fire personnel conducted a site visit and presented the requirements to mitigate risk. However, he suggested future promoters hire more safety personnel to cover the perimeter and prevent people from venturing near the edge.
“Hypothetically, for the San Fernando Hill, going forward, I would advocate, depending on its location, that at the exposed face of the cliff, there may be a physical barrier placed or erected if an event wants consideration there, so that the patrons’ risk of falling over the precipice will be minimised or reduced.”
Also contacted yesterday, Imperial Events managing director Marlon Jeffers said the San Fernando Hill remains one of the best event venues. However, he suggested promoters employ additional personnel to oversee safety.
In assessing the risk at a venue, Jeffers said a planner should conduct a site visit and look at potential threats and liabilities. He said one mitigation measure is to communicate constantly with patrons not to go past the caution tapes. If parents are involved, they must ensure they supervise children.
Jeffers said event organisers should provide washroom facilities that people can use. He said while the San Fernando Hill has facilities, a sizeable event may need additional washrooms.
“I remember visiting San Fernando Hill for a family reunion they had recently, and I saw where the cliffs could pose a hazard to human lives, so we ensured we cordoned off those areas with caution tape. That was one of the most important things we implemented,” Jeffers said
Jeffers, however, said he would not deter people from having events there.
“It is a beautiful venue for events such as parties. It is just a matter of management and supervision and ensuring that you have these things in place.”
