By L.K. Hewlett
St. Kitts Reporter
The family, relatives, friends and fans of Chad ‘Suki’ Benjamin were thrown into a state of panic and horror after the young musician was involved in an accident last Friday that almost left him paralyzed.
According to sources close to Benjamin, he was on his way to his home in Connell Street, Basseterre after leaving his girlfriend’s home in Sandy Point at about 6 a.m. when his car went over the side of Old Road Bay.
The vehicle landed on its top against the jagged rocks jutting out of the sea. Reports indicate that Benjamin was able to crawl out of the front passenger door with the assistance of a postal worker. Persons assumed that he had suffered no serious damage after he complained only of pains in his neck. Benjamin was the only person in the car at the time of the incident. So far no one has said what caused the accident though it was assumed that Benjamin might have been speeding.
He was admitted to the J. N. France Hospital and upon closer examination it was revealed that he had dislocated and fractured some of his vertebrae. Vertebrae are the small bones that run from the top of the neck to the base of the back and protect the spinal chord.
Doctors at the local hospital opted not to attempt any surgery for fear of causing the young man to become paralyzed.
Benjamin remained in the hospital until Saturday morning when he was taken by air ambulance to Miami to undergo the delicate operation to repair his damaged neck. According to friends of the young man, he was in good spirits and was lucid, even jovial when he left St. Kitts in the airborne ambulance.
A close family friend told The Observer that after seeing the wreckage, they were shocked that Benjamin had ‘walked away’ from the accident.
“I hear Sukkie car went over Old Road Bay but it wasn’t too serious because he was walking and talking. I happen to see the car after they removed it from the Bay and I can’t believe he ain’t mash up.
“Next thing I heard was that he had to fly out by air ambulance because he injure the bones in his neck and might end up paralysed. I went to check him at the hospital and I was surprised that the man talking and joking with people who went to see him. He lucky, God had to be with him,” the relative said.
The outpouring of prayers and well wishing from his family, band mates in D’Vybz, co-workers at FedEx and other friends may have lifted the bass man’s spirit as it was reported that his surgery was successful and he had avoided any form of paralysis.
Benjamin is said to be recovering in the Miami hospital and will be remain so until the specialist releases him to his family.
