The driver of the garbage truck that crushed Herstelling resident Chatterpaul Kabir has been released on station bail and has resumed his work.
The man is, however, required to report to the Providence Police Station on a weekly basis.
Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon told Stabroek News that the driver of the truck was held for 72 hours before being released on $50,000 station bail.
He is expected to make a weekly visit to the police station until further legal advice is given to police in relation to possible charges. At this point, Simon said, investigations are still ongoing as well the examination in relation to the fitness of the truck.
Herstelling/Diamond National Democratic Chairman (NDC) Romel Roopnarine confirmed that the man had returned to work. He noted that during the time the man was in the lock-up, there was backed-up refuse in several East Bank Demerara villages since there was no other driver. Since returning the work, the man along with other workers have been working overtime to bring the garbage situation back to normal.
Roopnarine noted that the driver is still traumatised and that a counsellor attached to the NDC has since been providing him and other workers who were present during the incident in question with counselling.
The chairman noted that in addition to counselling, he has met with his workers individually to come up with ideas on preventing such tragic incidents. He intends to propose some of these ideas at the next statutory meeting of the NDC. One of the proposals would be for a camera to be installed at the rear of garbage trucks.
Roopnarine further indicated that the NDC has since assisted in Kabir’s funeral expenses.
Kabir was cremated just over a week ago at the Kaashi Dhaam Hindu Crematorium, Ruimzigt. It was said by the chairman also that discussions are ongoing in regards to paying off Kabir’s years of service to his next of kin, said to be a son in his early twenties.
Sisters of the dead man said they wish the matter will be resolved and that it doesn’t go to trial. However, they also said that it is a decision that needs to be agreed to by the family of Kabir and not just them. As it stands they are currently grieving the death of their only brother and are still in a state of shock. Any other decisions regarding driver of the truck will be decided upon later. The driver of the truck is said to be a longtime friend of the family.
The accident took place at Land of Canaan two weeks ago. Witnesses said that the now-deceased garbage collector stepped off of the truck just as the driver decided to reverse. The other workers immediately alerted the driver, who stopped, but it was too late and most of the man’s body was pinned beneath the truck.
After the incident, a taxi was called to take the man to the hospital but when the driver showed up he refused to transport the bloodied man in his vehicle. The mortally injured man was eventually taken to the hospital in another vehicle where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.
