One of the victims from Saturday’s freak accident in Caura, Mary Bhaggan, 42, may never be able to walk again as she may suffer permanent paralysis from the waist down.
T&T Guardian understands that Bhaggan, of Spring Village, Valsayn, who was pinned under the tree, has severe injuries to her spinal cord.
Bhaggan is still warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, and is being treated and monitored closely by doctors. It is possible that she may have to undergo surgery.
Eight-year-old Dimitri Rampersad, of Five Rivers, Arouca, who is also still warded at the same institution will undergo surgery on one of his legs on September 7. Doctors will attempt to insert metal plates and screws in the leg. Rampersad is also expected to be seen by eye specialists.
Speaking with T&T Guardian yesterday, relative Ornella Pollard, who was also a victim in the accident, said she met with her attorney where she sought legal advice.
“I spoke with a prominent attorney who assured us that he will pick up the matter. So, we will be taking legal action,” Pollard said.
When asked if Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan met with his promise to offer professional counselling, Pollard said she was yet to hear from the minister
“I just read it in the papers that he will offer us counselling but up to date no one has reached out to us as yet and the entire family is still so very traumatised. I thought they would have had organised this for us from the very next day but nothing yet,” she added.
Pollard said even her three-year-old son, Joshua Bhola, is traumatised. “Imagine he is so small and he can tell you in detail how the tree fell and who it fell on. Also, who was pulled out and who was pinned. Even in his sleep he would cry out and say ‘Mummy, don’t leave me.’ Could you just imagine what my son and all of us are going through?” she asked.
When contacted yesterday, councillor for the Caura Valley area, Aaron Thomas, echoed the words of officials at the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, saying the corporation was not in charge of cutting down trees and added it was the responsibility of the Forestry Division. “I do not want to continue playing the blame game but because there are a number of burgesses in the Caura area we provide services to the region. With regards to the cutting down of trees, it is the Forestry Division.
“What happens in most cases is that there are many requests for the corporation’s assistance and we have assisted in the past. Maybe that is why people will say it is the corporation’s responsibility,” Thomas said.
MORE INFO
On Saturday sometime between 12.30 pm and 1 pm the family were celebrating birthdays at the Caura River when a tree fell on them.
The other injured were Kenny Rupert, 48, his wife, Gloria, 42, of Tacarigua; Dimitri’s mother Alberta Pureed, 30, and Pollard’s husband Dave Bhola, 32, of Crown Street, Tacarigua.