Woman dies after car plunges into Debe river

Senior Reporter

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Family, friends, and colleagues were plunged into mourning following a devastating crash that claimed the life of a Siparia mother on Monday night.

Despite heroic efforts by Debe residents, the Hunters’ Search and Rescue, and firefighters to save 29-year-old Kalisa Danclair, who was trapped in her submerged car in the South Oropouche River, she did not survive.

Police said Danclair, a sales representative at HADCO Ltd, was heading south along Debe Trace in a silver Toyota Axio when tragedy struck near Rahamut Trace.

According to residents and emergency responders, her vehicle collided with a steel barrier on a narrow bridge, destroying around 10 feet of railing before plunging into the river.

Fire officers said the vehicle was fully submerged. First responders hooked a rope to the car and pulled it to the riverbank before removing Danclair’s body from the wreckage. Her common-law partner, 28-year-old Brian Ravello, arrived at the scene soon after.

Yesterday, workers from the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC) installed metal rods and caution tape where the railing had been uprooted. They noted that despite the river’s low level, it remained deep at the bridge.

Vindra Mungroo, who lives near the river, said her family was at home when they heard an explosion. Looking outside, they saw the car in the river. She said neighbours jumped in to try to assist.

“When we watched, there was a car, but when we watched, the car was on the river already, so we just ran out. I cannot swim, so the neighbours assisted them,” Mungroo said. She added, “Sometimes cars pass and hit the bridge. All kinds of things happen, so we really do not know.” She said this was the second time a vehicle had gone into the river.

At Danclair’s home, relatives and friends gathered but declined to speak.

Oropouche West MP Dr Lackram Bodoe, accompanied by Debe South councillor Khemraj Seecharan and La Fortune/Debe North councillor Krishna Persadsingh, visited the scene of the crash and offered condolences to Danclair’s loved ones.

He acknowledged that the bridge was narrow and said it had been a concern during his general election campaign. Seecharan and Persadsingh said the PDRC would provide a temporary fix, and Bodoe is working on a long-term solution involving the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

He proposed that authorities open the completed bridge built under the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension, which crosses the same river. He said Works Minister Jearlean John had visited the area weeks ago and was made aware of the issue.

“As you can see here, this is an issue because this bridge really can only accommodate one vehicle at a time, so it creates a lot of traffic, especially for those now coming off the highway. It is a major issue with traffic here, almost all the time of the day. In addition to the traffic, the bridge is also dangerous because it gives the impression that vehicles can cross at the same time, when in fact, that is not the case,” Bodoe said.

Seecharan added that while the bridge falls under the PDRC, it lacks the resources to rebuild or expand it. He supported the call to activate the highway bridge, which has been idle for 10 years. He warned that closing the narrow bridge for repairs would cause gridlock throughout Penal and Debe.

In a media release, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure praised the swift action of residents and emergency services.

It said the incident had renewed focus on ageing infrastructure in the area.

“Although a modern bridge with enhanced safety features was constructed nearby under the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension Project (SHHEPF), it remains inaccessible due to the incomplete Debe-to-Penal segment. This tragedy underscores the urgent need to complete and operationalise critical infrastructure to enhance public safety and connectivity.”