Arima man dies after car plunges into Cunupia River

A Sunday morning drive ended in tragedy when Joel Farfan, 32, died and two others were injured after the car they were travelling in plunged into the Cunupia River shortly after 6 am.

The three were travelling in a red Nissan Note, registration PEL 8295, along the Southern Main Road, Cunupia, when the crash occurred.

Police said the vehicle had just left a gas station after refuelling and was heading north. A short distance from the station, just beyond the Amarjoyth Sabha Hindu Temple, Farfan apparently lost control.

The Nissan Note swerved, struck the metal guardrails and plunged about 15 feet into the river. It landed on its hood on the concrete riverbed, trapping the occupants inside.

Passersby who witnessed the crash rushed to help and worked to pull the occupants from the wreckage.

A woman, identified as a Venezuelan national, suffered serious injuries, including deep cuts to her head. She was taken first to the Chaguanas Health Centre, where she was placed in a neck brace, and then transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mount Hope.

The third occupant was also injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police said the driver’s documents may have been washed away in the crash, making it more difficult to identify those involved. Investigators were working to establish the identities of all three occupants.

Relatives said Farfan worked for a security company and attended a party with a relative on Saturday night. His mother learnt of the crash on yesterday morning while attending church.

Police said the Nissan Note belonged to a rental company based in Arima. The vehicle was badly damaged, and Cunupia police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.