Massy Energy working to bring employee’s body home from Colombia

THERE is still no confirmation as to when the body of Allan Lane Ramkissoon will be returned to Trinidad.

Massy Energy Engineered Solutions Ltd (MEES) said it is working with the authorities both in TT and Colombia to have the body of its former employee, repatriated.

Relatives of Lane Ramkissoon told the Newsday last week that officials from MEES visited the family home and indicated that the body should be returned sometime this week.

His brother Joshua said the sudden and tragic death, plus the long wait for his body to be returned to Trinidad for burial was agonising for the family.

“It is almost one month since he died in Colombia, and it is very painful for our family. We just want his body to be returned.”

Lane Ramkissoon, 35, was a pipe fitter with MEES, which was contracted to do work on the NiQuan Energy Trinidad Limited plant at Pointe-a-Pierre.

On June 15, while at work at the NiQuan facility there was an incident resulting in Lane Ramkissoon sustaining burns about his body.

He was rushed to a specialised burns unit in Colombia and not the United States because of visa requirements but died three days later, on June 18.

His wife, Sarah, who accompanied him to Colombia has since returned and has initiated legal action against both his employer and NiQuan.

After his death the Ministry of Energy ordered the closure of that part of the plant where the incident occurred and initiated an investigation. Separate investigations have also begun by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) as well as by MEES and NiQuan as to the cause of the incident and resultant death.

In a release on July 14, MEES advised that the investigation process into the incident is ongoing.

It said it is continuing to collaborate with NiQuan and participate in investigations initiated by OSHA nd the Ministry of Energy to determine and understand the cause of this tragic incident.

“We are therefore unable to provide any additional information at this time.

MEES continues to work with relevant authorities in Colombia and Trinidad to expedite the return of Lane Ramkissoon’s body to his family in Trinidad.

“We continue to provide support to his family during this challenging time and our thoughts and prayers remain with his family and his colleagues,” the release said.