RADHICA SOOKRAJ
Guardian South Bureau
Chief Executive Officer of the Junior Sammy Group of Companies Dave Aqui said yesterday internal investigations were ongoing into Saturday's crash at Mosquito Creek which left five people dead and ten others injured.
In an interview at Jusamco's headquarters at Claxton Bay yesterday, Aqui said they were still investigating the accident which involved a Jusamco truck.
He said, "At this stage insurers and brokers are involved and we are gathering information, so I do not want to divulge any information."
Asked whether the company would be assisting with funeral arrangements, Aqui said, "That decision has not been taken so far. We sympathise with the respective families and we will do what is appropriate."
Meanwhile, Councillor for Avocat, Doodnath Mayrhoo, said it was not unusual for the Licensing Authority to inspect and release the Jusamco truck so soon after the accident.
He said the Transport Commissioner called in Inspector Prakash Chaitram to inspect the truck at the accident scene.
"This is not unusual because of the extent of injuries sustained in this accident," Mayrhoo said.
Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma also visited the company yesterday and spoke with company officials regarding the accident.
Sharma said because of the amount of lives lost, it was important for the Government to pass the breathalyser legislation.
A senior police officer at the San Fernando Traffic Department said yesterday it was voluntary and not mandatory for drivers to take an alcohol test.
"This means that our hands are tied. Unless the Government passes the Breathalyser Act, more people will die," the officer said.
?Meanwhile, six people injured in the crash, continued to show little signs of improvement yesterday.
Asha Ramsaran, said her son Videsh, 18, remained warded in a critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit.
"I am continuing to pray for him so that he will pull through and have a complete recovery," Ramsaran said.
Another victim, Rishi Sohan, 17, was also showing improvement. He suffered a broken jaw and a dislocated shoulder and was warded in a stable condition at Ward 8.
Mahindra Maharaj, 41, whose son Sachin was killed in the crash, also remained warded in stable condition.
Sources said Mahindra's jaw was wired shut and he also suffered a broken neck.
Four-year-old Darshan Maharaj, also improved and was said to be warded in stable condition at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.
Three other survivors–Ian Singh, Shivanand Singh and Darson Goolcharan remained at home yesterday.
Relatives said they were experiencing nightmares.
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Four-year-old Darshan Maharaj reportedly took a turn for the worse last night. A source said that one of Darshan's lungs had failed and he was placed on a life support machine at the Intensive Care Unit of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.
Doctors said that the child's leg was broken in multiple places and he also suffered head injuries.