Maxi taxi crashes into kitchen

Matthew Cato considers himself a lucky man after a large red band maxi taxi crashed into his wall and into a kitchen he used for his business.

The incident occurred just east of the Croisee in San Juan along the Priority Bus Route.

At about 10.45 am yesterday, Cato said he heard a loud bang.

“We just hear a loud noise and everybody just panic and start to run. It’s a good thing nobody was in here at the time. We just use this kitchen for the business. We sell hot dogs and hamburgers. We prepare it here and and sell in Chaguanas. A few minutes before my cousin was in here.”

One eyewitness, who gave his name as “Royal,” said he saw the maxi taxi, which was heading west, begin to swerve, veer left, narrowly miss an electricity pole, and crash into the wall.

“About eight people were taken by ambulance, but I don’t think anybody was seriously injured. From what the passengers were saying it looked like the driver fell ill and tried to pull to the side of the road.”

The front of the maxi taxi was crushed. At the scene, Cato was already removing the debris from the crash, wondering how he was going to secure the gaping space.

“This will have to be sealed off by this evening, it can’t stay like this.

“I will have to get some galvanise or ply. I can’t put back up any wall here right now. The business is my livelihood so this is a real set back, but it could have been worse.”

By the time Newsday arrived at the scene, all those who were injured had already been taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.