By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(Canada Industrial Estate, St. Kitts)—Another industrial accident has claimed another life. This time it was at the Quarry at the Canada Industrial Estate on May 23, where Valentine “Kitchener” Thompson, 37, was crushed to death when the truck he was driving overturned.
Nine days earlier, Allick Toney, 64, Vincentian National, was smothered by concrete, after the so- called West Basseterre By-Pass Bridge caved in under the pressure of poured concrete.
Mr. Thompson was employed by St. Kitts Marine Works as a greaser and serviceman. His responsibilities included making sure that the vehicles at the quarry were properly maintained in terms of good mechanical function.
Nicholas Farrington, an employee of St. Kitts Marine Works, claims that he was asked to drive the same truck that overturned killing Thompson. He refused to drive the truck out of safety concerns that morning, resulting in the termination of his services.
Mr. Farrington said that he has over 20 years experience as a truck driver and that he did not think that the truck he was asked to drive was safe enough to go into the hills. He said that there are three trucks at the quarry that are specially designed to work in the hills. These trucks he said are Volvo BM trucks with engine brakes specially designed for the hills. The truck he was asked to drive that morning was none of these.
Mr. Farrington said that Mr. Thompson did not have a license to drive heavy duty trucks. However, it was customary for workers to drive without a truck license on site he said.
Reginald Francis, Owner and Director of Marine Works Ltd, said that Mr. Thompson was not authorized or given instructions to drive the truck. He said that workers like Mr. Thompson are allowed to drive within the confines of the quarry but that they are restricted from driving on the public roads or up the hills to transport rocks.
Mr. Francis pointed out that the reason for allowing his workers access to the vehicles, under supervision, “is to provide them opportunities to become skilled workers by taking the relevant tests and acquiring the license of heavy-duty vehicle drivers.”
Mr. Francis claims that the vehicle driven by Mr. Thompson on the dark morning of May 23, was in good working condition and equipped with all the necessary safety devices. This was verified by David Huggins, a certified mechanic who was taken to the scene by the police.
Mr. Thompson was pronounced dead by Dr. Mervyn Laws, District Medical Officer who visited the scene of the accident.
