Relatives of Indra Changar, 53, who was left in a critical condition days after a CNG tank in her official school bus transport vehicle exploded, are worried over her condition, as they are yet to be briefed by doctors at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mount Hope.
Another area of concern is that Changar is yet to be placed in the appropriate ward.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian earlier today, a close relative, who wished not to be named, said EWMSC official told them she has not been moved to the proper ward as yet due to lack of beds there. The relative said Changar is conscious but is very weak and in extreme pain.
“She tries to speak but her voice is very faint. We are hoping for a full and speedy recovery.”
Asked if any officials had visited to inspect the vehicle, the relative said both National Gas Company Limited (NGC) and Massy Automotive Components Limited (MACL) officials had done.
The relative added that the officials were expected to return to the scene to carry out further investigations, “on the mechanics etcetera to find out what caused the explosion. I was also told that a full report will be done and then decide on the next step.”
In a release on the incident, NGC CNG Company Ltd’s communications manager Roger Sant confirmed that “both MACL and NGC CNG are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to expedite and conclude investigations into this matter.”
Sant said the bus had earlier received an approved CNG conversion by MACL and added that MACL is an approved CNG converter by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI). He said NGC CNG will be meeting with all relevant stakeholders to facilitate a proper and thorough investigation and to ensure the ongoing safety and security of CNG systems and users in Trinidad and Tobago.
The incident occurred on Friday at about 5 am, as Changar was getting ready to leave her Munroe Road, Chaguanas home to go and pick up her student passengers.
Changar usually transports pupils of St Augustine Girls' High School and Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College.
Changar sustained severe burns on the entire body and severe injuries to the eyes when the bus exploded.
Changar had the CNG tank installed in her van last Tuesday (September 18) by a qualified technician, who is NGC-approved.
After installation, Changar had to take it back on Wednesday and Thursday to have "final works" done. Changar was said to have filled up the tank on Thursday night before parking it in the garage area of her home. On Friday morning when she was getting ready to leave, as soon as she opened the door of the van there was a loud explosion which threw her against a wall.
Changar fell unconscious for a few minutes and when she regained consciousness she found that her entire body was on fire and her clothes burnt off completely.
Changar has been transporting school children for just over six years and recently decided to convert her vehicle to CNG after a recommendation by NGC.
Exactly, one year ago, in September 2017, NGC CNG Company Limited began to distribute incentives to maxi taxi, taxi and private school bus owners who have transitioned to CNG.
The company said then that it “is mandated by the government to accelerate the use of CNG as a vehicular fuel, as well as increase the number of CNG fuelling points across the country.”
Investigations are continuing.