CrimeWatch host Ian Alleyne was on the scene of a horrific smash-up involving four vehicles on the southbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway, Chaguanas, on Wednesday. The accident claimed the life of Princes Town mother of one Natasha Williams, while five other people were injured.
Alleyne spoke to some of the survivors, police and emergency officials at the scene to get the details of how the accident occurred and how the victims were treated thereafter. In particular, he asked pointed questions about the long delay in the arrival of ambulances to the scene to take the injured to hospital.
On his live programme, Alleyne made it clear to government officials that both he and the public were disappointed with the response time of the ambulance service, which took approximately 50 minutes to arrive on the scene. He also expressed disgust over the government officials he saw driving past the scene in their Prado SUVs under police escort without even stopping to assist or offer support to the victims.
But Alleyne praised passersby and citizens who put themselves in harm’s way on the busy highway to stop and assist the victims. He also commended the Chaguanas police, E99 highway patrol and the Fire Service for their swift and hard work to ensure the incident was under control and that the victims were treated at the scene as quickly as possible. In another story, Alleyne and his team visited the funeral service of police inspector Sahadeo Singh.
All who attended paid homage to a dedicated officer who took his job seriously and upheld the watchwords of the police service to “Protect and Serve.” Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams was one of the many senior police in attendance. Alleyne paid his respects to Singh and expressed the hope many other police will follow in the late inspector’s footsteps and dedicate their careers to serving the public and protecting the citizens and land as he did.
The Crime Watch host and his team were in fact quite busy this week, as late Tuesday they got a call from a witness to a fatal hit-and-run incident on the southbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway, near the Munroe Road Flyover in Chaguanas. A homeless man was killed in the accident. According to eyewitnesses, a black Hilux pickup mounted the median and hit the man, throwing him into the air. He died instantly. Eyewitnesses said the driver stopped the vehicle briefly, then sped off.
Police are continuing investigations and Alleyne is urging the public to contact Crime Watch with any information on the driver or whereabouts of the black Hilux. Alleyne was very disturbed over the matter, saying despite the fact that the victim was homeless “a crime was committed and justice must come for the deceased as he didn’t have to die in this way.”
In another story, Alleyne aired footage of the decomposing body of a man discovered in a house at Pasea Extension, Pasea, Tunapuna. The man was identified as 60-year-old Latchman Rajmooliu. Police said neighbours called them to report a foul stench coming from the man’s home. Police later entered the house and found him dead. Police do not believe he was killed but are still investigating the matter.