UPDATE: ‘More than 2 injured in ports accident’ – source
Speaking to this news site, an acquaintance of some of the injured said that the number of persons reportedly hospitalised was nowhere close to the actual number of injured as a result of the mishap.
“I had some friends working on the pier project site and they call me and tell me they in hospital and when I went there I see about eight of them. All of them had head, injuries, hand injuries, foot injuries and so on. All of their clothes were wet, I don’t know if they had to jump overboard or what,” the source said yesterday March 9, 2015.
This news site reached BVI Health Services Authority’s (BVIHSA) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ms Franka N. Potter for an update on the condition and for confirmation on the number of injured. She told us she would look into the situation and get back to our newsroom with information but up to post time had not done so. Contact was also made with Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA Darlene A. Carty-Baptiste who asked us to speak to the PRO.
We also tried to reach Mr Percy Rhoden of the contracting company Meridian Construction Company for a comment on the condition of the injured men but to no avail. However, another source from the construction site said that the two persons he knows to have been hospitalised as a result of the accident have since been sent home.
This news site will continue to follow this story and bring you updates when available.
See previous article published on March 8, 2015:
Two injured as crane boom collapses on tug @ Ports Project
- This brings to 3 the number of accidents on the controversial Ports Development Project
WICKHAM’S CAY 1, Tortola, VI - Two persons were reportedly rushed to Peebles Hospital following an accident at the Cruise Pier Development Project work site at Wickham’s Cay 1 on Tortola today, March 8, 2015.
According to information reaching Virgin Islands News Online, the men suffered minor injuries when the boom of a crane collapsed on a tug.
Reliable sources informed that a main cable on the crane snapped resulting in the boom crashing down on a tug that was close by. Several persons were on the vessel at the time but only two persons reportedly sustained injuries, which were said to be minor.
Contact was made with one of the lead persons on the project, Mr Percy Rhoden, who confirmed there was an accident but said it was minor in nature.
3rd accident on controversial project
This brings to 3 the number of accidents on the controversial Ports Development Project. On December 18, 2014 there was a collision between two barges while on October 6, 2014, a truck ferrying stone at the work site overturned into the water as it was negotiating a narrow pass.
It is not clear whether this mishap is likely to cause further delays to the multimillion dollar project already behind schedule.
52 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘More than 2 injured in ports accident’ – source”
gosh u people r too bloddy touchy. where ever there is a big project goin on chances are accident would occur. Sick sick people just glad when anything happen to gloute politricks son of a guns.not my vote with these negative vip niaga. you do not like people
However, my concern is the fact the project is going very slow. Is this really going to finish soon or in the next 2 years?
The comment "that the accident is minor", demonstrates just how callous, uncaring and narcissistic one is. My best wishes go out to the victims of this incident, and pray for a speedy and full recovery.
Further, every project must have quality control and quality assurance plans. Additionally, full risk management and risk assessment evaluations must be conducted and plans put in place to effectively manage the risks.
At this time, I do not know what factir(s) contributed to the crane accident. And an investigation will unearth the cause(s) and corrective actions taken to prevent future safety incidents. Nonetheless, generally, to the maximum possible the work area/zone area of weight handling ewuipment should be free of personnel. Safety accidents, mishaps, incidents....etc cost----money, health care services, debilitating injuries, death.
This shows how sad this Territory has become. A piece of equipment on a major project in our Territory had issues and caused injury of persons on the job and look at the stupid %&** nonsense that people choose to talk about? How did that become political? Its your right to like or dislike the project but come on man, these are people's lives here and we here clamouring to score political jabs as a result. WE ARE SICK!
Get well soon to the injured.