(Trinidad Express) Five people were killed instantly in Tobago in a head-on collision along the Claude Noel Highway early yesterday.
The victims were identified as Alloy Duke, 49, of Cocrico Inn, Buccoo, Fernando Stewart, 36, of Providence Road, Mt Grace, Christion Stewart, 50, of Patience Hill, Nesta Hamilton, of Patience Hill, and Stevenson Winchester, 50, of Piccadilly Trace, Signal Hill.
The collision took place at Spring Garden in the vicinity of the Orange Hill Gas Station around 4.25 a.m., according to police investigators.
The fatalities have taken the road death toll to 20, according to an Express tally.
According to Scarborough Police Traffic Branch, Duke was driving a maroon Mazda 3 station wagon east, along the Claude Noel Highway when he overtook a vehicle and collided head-on with a green Lancer driven by Stewart, a ward attendant at the Scarborough General Hospital.
Stewart was travelling west along the highway when the accident occurred. Occupants of both vehicles died on the spot, police said.
Fire Service officials were called to use the “jaws of life” to remove the bodies from both vehicles.
The incident has marred 2013 Carnival celebrations in Tobago.
District Medical Officer Dr Mentor Melville and Dr Steve Ogbu visited the scene and ordered the bodies removed to the Scarborough Mortuary.
Family members and relatives remain shocked over the incident.
Cynthia Stewart-Osmond, of Mason Hall, the sister of Christon Stewart and the aunt of Fernando Stewart, told the Express the situation was heartbreaking.
“Christon lived in Germany and was at the time visiting, as he was filing necessary documents for his passport. He is also the father of one and was due to return on the 18th (of February) to Germany, to celebrate his son’s birthday,” she said.
The mother of Fernando Stewart said she is remaining strong at this time for the rest of the family. Fernando and the other occupants of the car had only moments ago left a celebration at 12 tribes, Mason Hall.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Hugh Lovell, acting Senior Superintendent Garfield Moore, Sergeant Samuel Morrison and other officers visited the scene.
Sergeant Morrison is heading the investigations into the matter.
