Doctors were battling to save the life of a motorist yesterday whose leg was almost severed in a smash-up involving a fire tender in South Oropouche yesterday.
The man, who was unidentified up to press time, was said to be in critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. According to a witness report, fire fighters from the Southern Division Headquarters were heading back to their base in Mon Repos, San Fernando, when the accident occurred.
The emergency appliance was driving along the Southern Main Road around 3.05 pm, when a silver Toyota Corolla, driving in the opposite direction, veered in front of the truck leading to the collision. The truck stopped but the car began to spin out of control.
Fire fighters involved in the accident rushed to help and had to use the Jaws of Life to free the victim. He was taken to the hospital via ambulance and underwent emergency treatment. The fire truck sustained little damage and the officers were unharmed. Police and firefighters were on the scene up to late afternoon trying to clear the scene and free the traffic congestion along the busy Southern Main Road. Oropouche police are continuing investigations.