23 injured as Army truck runs off road

Two soldiers remained in a critical condition at hospital last night after Sunday’s accident in which a Defence Force vehicle ran off the road in Charlotteville, Tobago. A total of 23 people, among them members of the Defence Force rugby team, were on the truck. Among the injured were 17 soldiers, two sailors and four civilians. Of the 23 people 17 were taken to the Scarborough General Hospital. Among the injured were Lance Cpl Azrion Bodie and Ian Francis, a civilian member of the rugby team. They remained warded last night at West Shore Medical Private Hospital, Cocorite, and the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, respectively. Six others were warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre in a stable condition. A female sailor also was reported to be warded at the Scarborough District Hospital awaiting minor eye surgery while 14 others were treated and discharged. National Security Minister Jack Warner and Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj visited Bodie and several other victims yesterday to find out what care was needed.