-porter injured
Twenty-eight-year old Clive Barrett met a tragic end when the laden lumber truck he was driving turned turtle and pinned him as he headed to a timber concession in Essequibo yesterday.
The vehicle’s porter, David Allicock, 21, was injured. The incident occurred at around 7 am as the truck was on a trail heading to Butukari, Essequibo River. Speaking with Stabroek News at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) as he awaited medical attention, Allicock said Barrett lost control of the truck as they were travelling down a steep hill.
He and Allicock were employed at a logging operation run by Toolsie Persaud Ltd. Allicock said that the truck turned turtle once before slamming into a tree. The young man stated that he could not recall if Barrett was wearing a seat belt nor could he remember seeing the man being pitched out of the vehicle since he was focused on saving his own life. “When I managed fuh come out I didn’t see Clive and when I check ah see he pinned down”, he recounted. Allicock sustained injuries to his head and both feet.
Barrett’s brother, Brian Softleigh was travelling on the same road in a land cruiser and said that he had no idea he would have met his sibling in such a state.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Softleigh said that he and a few others were some distance behind the truck and as they approached the scene, he noticed skid marks but had no idea that his brother was involved. “Then we see de truck and I rush out to see wah happen cause deh truck been turn over”, he recalled.
Softleigh added that he felt cold when he saw Allicock but not his brother. Barrett was pinned under the vehicle and with the help of the others; he was freed, carefully laid in the Land cruiser and they sped to Linden.
The grieving man said that all along the trail his brother clung to life though he was unable to speak. However, upon arrival at the LHC shortly after mid-day yesterday, Barrett succumbed to his injuries. He had not yet been taken out of the vehicle.
Barrett hailed from Good Hope Village, Essequibo and leaves to mourn his mother Josephene Softleigh of Supenaam, Essequibo, three children and his wife, Tomika Glen of 72 miles. (Cathy Richards)