A 72-year old tourist, who was injured during a robbery attack while sightseeing around the Queen’s Park Savannah on Boxing Day, has been released from hospital.
Sally Wilson, and her husband, Michael, 74, were walking along the Savannah to view the Magnificent Seven buildings and other attractions when they were approached by a man armed with a knife.
The man cut the strap from her handbag and stole her belongings. She was cut on the left arm in the process.
The foreigners were taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital by a taxi driver. Michael Wilson was unhurt and was able to assist the police in their investigation.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism said the injured woman successfully underwent surgery at the Port- of- Spain General Hospital. She was accommodated at a hotel in Port- of- Spain and arrangements are being made for their return to the UK.
According to the ministry, the Wilsons chose to visit the Caribbean on the cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today.
They were among thousands of cruise passengers who arrived on the MSC Preziosa a few hours earlier.
Ministry officials and other stakeholders, including the British High Commission in Port-of-Spain, have visited Mrs Wilson at hospital and have been providing the required assistance in the circumstances.
Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell has expressed concerned about the incident, saying: “Our visitors would have been looking forward to their trip only to have it ruined by an act of violence.”
The best information available to the Ministry of Tourism is that there has not been a similar incident in several years, the minister said.
Mitchell said security arrangements will be reviewed to prevent a recurrence.
He also noted: “The TTPS has always been very diligent in collaborating with the ministry and other stakeholders to keep our visitors safe. We will continue to work with them to ensure the well-being of our guests and to improve the visitor experience.”
Investigations into the robbery are continuing.