radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Trapped in raging flood waters, a Penal man died when his van was pushed off the road and into a river which flows alongside the M1 Ring Road in Ste Madeliene yesterday.
Police said Annan Boysie, 40, of #11 Cedar Drive La Costena Development, Penal, was driving his van east along the M1 Ring Road when he attempted to pass through flood waters as he approached near the Cedar Hill Estate Road.
Boysie reportedly did not anticipate the force of the currents, which pushed the vehicle into a nearby river on the southern side of the roadway.
Several people who witnessed the incident tried to assist Boysie. They called for help. The Fire Service, led by FSO Sylvan, eventually managed to pull the van from the river.
Boysie, dressed in a dark-coloured coverall, was pushed to the backseat of the vehicle by the force of the floodwater.
District Medical Officer Dr Rajkumar was contacted and ordered the body removed to the San Fernando mortuary. Insp Phillip and Sgt Dookhoo assisted at the scene.
Meanwhile, councillor for Corinth/Cedar Hill Shawn Premchand told Guardian Media that yesterday's rainfall was unusual. He said the massive amount of rainfall which pummelled the constituency for three hours affected more than 15 households, as floods continued to rise between 4 pm to 8 pm.
"People did not expect this level of rainfall and schoolbooks, uniforms, food and other valuables were destroyed in the floods," Premchand said.
Among the areas affected were Solomon Street, Cedar Hill, Friendship Village, Cipero Railway line and Corinth Railway Line.
"At Corinth Settlement about a dozen families are affected. People get hit really hard there," Premchand said.
Losses could not be calculated last night but teams from the Disaster Management Unit are expected to head down there today.
