Mechanic dies after saving friends in landslide tragedy

  • Nov, Mon, 2024

RADHICA DE SILVA

Senior Multimedia Reporter

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

Mechanic Anil Singh died after his van plunged into a landslip in Princes Town. Despite suffering severe injuries, he made the ultimate sacrifice by breaking the windshield of the crashed van to save his trapped friends.

Singh went into distress while waiting two hours for an ambulance and died at the Princes Town District Health Facility.

His sister, Anella Sawh, rushed him to the hospital after the ambulance failed to arrive.

Speaking to Guardian Media, Sawh said Singh, a father of three, had gone to collect money with two friends. Around 4 pm yesterday, he stopped to urinate off Mandingo Road, when the land beneath his parked van gave way.

“There was no sign of a depression,” Sawh explained. “He didn’t notice the landslide. The van’s wheels were on the edge. When he came out, the ground started to sink. His friends didn’t have time to get out. The van hit Anil, pitching him down the hill before it overturned.”

Villagers rushed to assist. Sawh said Singh was injured but still asked his friends if they were safe.

“He said, ‘Blindey, you OK?’ His friend was pinned, and my brother asked him to switch off the van. Then Anil burst the windshield to get him out,” she revealed.

Villagers helped Singh climb back up the hill, but he was struggling to breathe.

“He had heart and breathing problems. They gave him his pump, but he was gasping for air. He became restless and went in and out of consciousness,” Sawh said.

A retired nurse performed CPR, but Singh’s condition worsened.

“They called me, saying the ambulance hadn’t arrived, and he was bleeding from his mouth. I took him to the hospital, but he started slipping away on the way,” Sawh recounted.

Doctors at the facility tried to revive Singh, but he was later pronounced dead. Singh’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday. Princes Town police are continuing investigations.

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