Two foreign delegates of the Accelor Mital Plant were among several people involved in a six-car smash-up yesterday on the Uriah Butler Highway, Couva. Administration manager of the company, Curtis Alleyne, confirmed two of the accident victims-chief financial officer Gustavo Penna and Helena Rodriguez Rojas-were visitors from its plant in Costa Rica and were in a hired vehicle at the time of the accident. Alleyne said they were examined by doctors and given a clean bill of health.
According to police, the six cars involved were heading south on the highway near the Preysal flyover.
Investigators said a wrecker pulled to the right lane of the highway but then saw a wheel tractor cutting grass on the median. The wrecker tried to turn back on the other lane but collided with the tractor, they said. Police said the driver of a flatbed truck, heading in the same direction, applied brakes to avoid hitting the wrecker. It was loaded with concrete blocks.
Police said the truck skidded and struck a silver Nissan Almera which collided with four other vehicles.
The Almera was driven by 30-year-old Ann Lutchman, a district health inspector attached to the Ministry of Health, Couva. She was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital for treatment for minor cuts and bruises. No one else was injured.