Runaway drill pipes crush bystander’s legs

More than 11 tons of iron pipes rolled off a tractor trailer and crushed the legs of a Williamsville labourer yesterday afternoon. Sookdeo Barran, 28, was standing under a shed on the Williamsville Junction awaiting transport shortly after 1 pm when the accident occurred.

Barran’s sister, Laura, told the T&T Guardian: “My brother was standing by the road waiting for a taxi to come home. He saw the truck transporting these big pipes coming towards him. He tried to run, but the pipes let loose and hit him on his legs, throwing him to the ground.” She said another man who was standing nearby narrowly escaped.

She said they called for an ambulance but when it had not arrived an hour later, someone drove Barran to the Princes Town District Facility for treatment. Driver of the truck, Sherwin Nicholas, said he was transporting the iron pipes, used for drilling, from Point Galeota to Fyzabad. Nicholas said each pipe weighs approximately one ton.

He said he was turning at the junction when he felt the trailer moving in a different direction and part of it broke off, causing the pipes to roll off. Nicholas said he only realised what had happened when he got out of the vehicle. He then went to Barran’s aid. The accident caused a major traffic jam. Gasparillo police are investigating.