While there were not many reports of violence at Saturday’s Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations, an off-duty police officer almost died after being struck on his head with a brick.
The incident occurred at Techier Village, just outside the area where the festivities took place.
Cpl Ronald David, 39, who works at Guapo Police Station, was attempting to clear a traffic jam near his home when he was injured.
Reports are that around 10 am, a commotion broke out when a bus heading for the celebrations attempted to overtake a truck.
David, who tried to create some order at the scene, was struck in the head by a woman who was in the bus. He became unconscious and had to be rushed to the Point Fortin area Hospital.
While being transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital, it was reported that his heart stopped beating. However, medical personnel were able to resuscitate him. He remained hospitalised up to yesterday.
Meanwhile, two other people who sustained stab wounds during the celebrations were treated at hospital.
Police said, however, that there weren’t many incidents at the J’ouvert celebrations itself. The usual thousands of revellers gathered in Point Fortin’s town centre for the borough’s 35th annual celebrations.
While some said the amount of people and bands attending the J’ouvert celebrations had decreased, there was no shortage of colour, creativity and fun.