OSH Authority probes forklift death

Officers from the San Fernando Licensing Office have inspected a forklift which collapsed on Wednesday, killing 33-year-old paramedic Anand Ramnarine. Ramnarine’s family has called on the police to do a thorough investigation into the death, claiming negligence. A relative said the forklift was not braced and it tilted to the left before it collapsed. Police said several employees were on site when the incident occurred.

Detectives said the forklift had wheels and it was not customary for the vehicle to have braces as well.
Ramnarine’s father, Dhanpaul, said they were disappointed that proper care was not taken to avoid the mishap. He called on the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSH) to do a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, Ramnarine’s mother, Hansrajie, said she could not come to terms with the tragedy. She explained that Ramnarine took care of everyone in the household and it was hard to say goodbye to him.
She said: “I want justice. I did not expect him to go up that height. Something has to be done about this.”

An autopsy conducted yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre revealed that Ramnarine died from massive cranial injuries consistent with the fall. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.
Ramnarine, 33, of Ackbar Trace, died after falling at Anand’s Low Price Supermarket construction site, shortly after 11 am yesterday. Witnesses said Ramnarine was spray- painting a sign on the unopened building when the forklift collapsed. He died on the spot. Sgt Darryl Corrie and Cpl Rishi Ramsaran are investigating.