Van rolls over driver in Sando

STACY MOORE

In what was described as a bizarre moment, a man is now warded in serious condition at the San Fernando General Hospital after he was run over by his own van this morning.

Police said Albert Alexander of Cocoyea Village underwent emergency surgery following neck and chest injuries caused by the accident.

According to a police report, the incident occurred shortly after 9 am near the Blind Welfare Association on Lower Hillside Street in San Fernando. Alexander was experiencing engine problems when he pulled to the side of the road. Police said Alexander tried to leave the van but it began to roll downhill and he was pinned under it. Firemen and police, with the assistance of passers-by, were able to lift the van off of Alexander and he was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Blind Welfare Association employee Sunil Ramkissoon described the incident as dreadful. He said Alexander had encountered problems and had, only seconds before, come out of the van when it began rolling.

“Everyone heard the screaming and came out to see him pinned under the van. He was in a lot of pain. It was really horrible seeing this and knowing this man could have died.”

Ramkissoon said, for years, the association had made calls to have speed bumps installed along the roadway but their calls had fallen on deaf ears. “If there had been one speed bump, it could have prevented the van from rolling and crushing this man.”