by James E. Knight
I am extremely saddened, and even more annoyed, by the tragic death of the young woman on Labour Day. It should have been the last thing expected to happen, and someone should have to answer for it.
Public safety regulations for parades are supposed to be enforced for all mass events, especially parades. All trucks participating in mass events should be prepared to prevent such tragedies.
This latest incident is especially painful for me, because as Health Disaster Coordinator, over three decades ago, I discussed the relevant safety measures with Philmore Mullins of NODS, and he presented them to the persons in charge of annual parades, especially those related to the carnival. Illustrations, drawings that I made, were presented.
It’s very simple. no one is run over by the front wheels, because the driver can see, or can be alerted in time. The problem is with the space between wheels on any side of the truck. There is no way of alerting the driver in those crowded and noisy circumstances, that someone is going under.
The suggestion has been, therefore, that a horizontal bar or two, preferably two, running parallel to each other, be installed between the wheels of the side of the truck. The idea is to give the individual who slips something to grab to prevent the fall, or use to push or to pull themselves to safety, even if with the help of others, who, in the absence of the suggested bars, would be scared to endanger themselves.
In 2009, I was in California during the carnival celebrations in Antigua. Mr Mullin had tried once more, and what was done was senseless. I saw images of parade trucks with plywood guards over the wheels.
Nonsense. That could only add to the trauma of the hapless victim. While acting as Chief Medical Officer during one carnival shortly before the Covid pandemic, I had an article published in the newspapers about the toxic mixture of excessive alcohol and dangerous circumstances, and repeated the importance of the measures.
Then more recently, I wrote about the same issue once more, and also that of the dangling electrical lines which fellows hold up with a stick for the trucks with all the tall musical equipment to pass under. My question was, what is the standard or the minimal clearance that APUA can guarantee the all trucks and heavy duty vehicles, on all days.
I shudder at times when I see tall trucks speeding along barely passing beneath live electrical cables, with or without people sitting atop or holding on. I submitted drawings with my articles and I can recall one publication showing instead how similar was being done in Trinidad. I was pleased to see that.
However, last year carnival – i’m not sure about the previous year – I actually noted from pictures that some effort had been made by most, if not all of the truck operators, probably, and hopefully, on the insistence of the relevant authorities. But that should not be applied only to carnival. Public health and safety regulations are for all mass gatherings and festivities. Who dropped the wheel?
I lost two female former classmates from Princess Margaret School to the wheels of heavy trucks, just a few years apart.
One in 1989 during the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the AT&LU, and another, along with her boy child, on an ordinary day in St John’s.
By now we should probably be thinking of sensors near those wheels, which drivers must activate while in parades. Slow moving vehicles can easily stop suddenly if an obstacle is detected in the path of the dangerous wheels, without any deceleration issue. But not even the simplest safeguard is being practiced.
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Mr whoever you are were you at the parade someone should pay for what do you have any idea how many times she was removed from trying to climb the truck both by paraders and even law enforcement countless times even just before the actually fall she was stopped by a police officer from trying to climb the truck.paraders should also realise these are heavy duty machines and some big ass wheels so staying far away as possible should be your first thought.its deeply saddening but the young lady was warned and stopped so many times it’s as tho she knew her demise was coming so before we rant or before you ensure your ideas are in full play be humble and sensible at the same time
I am sorry to read about the young woman’s death.
The curse of the ALP never leaves it.
Every year something tragic happens when the RED DEVILS are h a aded to Fort.
Death and violence mars any and every ALP function.
Is that not a message to Antiguans that the ALP is bad in every way.
The sooner people divorce themselves from the ALP the safer Antiguans will live and enjoy life.
Yall playing with evil spirits. When the spirit of bacchus takes control of you this is what happens ever year
This letter gave me chills. It’s a question we’re all thinking but afraid to say out loud.
May she rest in peace. But question was her death an accident?