Questions over safety protocols as man killed in accident with truck

Senior Reporter

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Questions about proper safety protocols have arisen following the death of a Freeport motorist in an accident involving a truck transporting a container on Wednesday.

Several social media users commenting on the incident have questioned whether regular maintenance and safety checks were being conducted on trucks.

Initial reports stated that around 6.45 pm, a white MAN truck with a trailer was proceeding east along Rivulet Road in Couva, about 200 metres east of the Camden traffic lights, when a wheel broke off, detached from the truck, and collided with a grey Ford pickup proceeding in the opposite direction. The pickup, driven by Mark Clevon Ramdhan, then crashed into another vehicle before veering off into nearby bushes. Ramdhan, of Rajkumar Trace, Arena, Freeport, died at the scene. Through a relative, Guardian Media requested an interview with Ramdhan’s immediate family, but up to news time, there was no response.

Expressing her anguish over his death via Facebook, a relative posted, “This is difficult for me to post, but yesterday my family lost my cousin Mark Clevon Ramdhan after an unexpected accident. At just 35, we’ve lost our sweet Clev. Life will never be the same.”

Others who knew him described him as kind and helpful. One person claimed the accident was the result of recklessness, writing, “That isn’t no freak accident. Those trailers does have plenty issues with them, and the owners does drive them still, and licensing officers does pass them on inspection. His family should take the owner of the company to task.”

Another person commented, “Condolences to the family and friends. By the sounds of it, this is human error, as this container was not secured properly. The truck driver should be held accountable and charged, as he is responsible for his load.”

Couva police are continuing investigations.