An Ithaca Village teenager died on Sunday night after an unsecured wooden pallet in the back of a Canter where he was riding shifted and hit him in the face, pitching him off the moving vehicle.
Travell Blair, 18, a mason of Lot 118 Peters Street, Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice, was on his way from a horse-racing event when the incident occurred.
Blair and other relatives were in the back of the Canter, which was also transporting a quantity of equipment that was reportedly not properly secured. According to reports, a pallet that was resting on top of a music speaker shifted and hit Blair in the face pitching him off the Canter.
An eyewitness said the driver was not aware of what had happened until he raised an alarm. “When he stop me run out and go see Travell deh lying flat on the road bleeding,” the eyewitness said. He then explained that the pallet also hit another relative on the Canter, who only sustained minor injuries to his face since he did not fall from the vehicle.
The incident occurred on the Number 5 Public Road, West Coast Berbice around 10 pm. Relatives suspect that the incident was a direct result of the equipment not being properly secured and the wind playing a part in moving the pallet.
Blair’s aunt Shevon Nicholson told Stabroek News that they received a call that Blair had fallen from a Canter. “We rush to the scene. By time then the ambulance did taking him to Georgetown Hospital. We drive behind the ambulance… before we reach them said he dead though,” Nicholson said. Blair was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to Nicholson, the doctors informed relatives that Blair had sustained a broken neck and injuries to his stomach and head.
Nicholson explained that Blair would usually accompany the music set, ‘Thunderbolt’ to different events, since the set was owned by a relative and he was quite fond of music.
The teen who lived with his grandmother and other relatives was described as “jovial, helpful and loving.” His aunt said, “If Travell come home and see me deh doing anything he go start help me. One time he say look how me book shelf deh and he build it up back for me. He was always helpful.”
Meanwhile, police are currently investigating the incident. According to a police source, the driver of the Canter is assisting with the investigation.
