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Insurance firm representing GNIC still to compensate victims
Charles Paul
Dead: Trevor Charles
Two years after a transformer tumbled off a truck and killed a minibus driver and a passenger, relatives of the victims are still awaiting compensation from those deemed responsible for the tragedy.
The truck on which the transformer was being carried is the property of Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC).
Allan Johnson, the company’s Human Resources Manager, told Kaieteur News yesterday that Hand In Hand Insurance Company, which is representing GNIC, has decided to settle with the victims.
However, he was unable to say how much the settlement is or when the compensation will be made.
An attorney for one of the victims said that the matter is in the High Court, and an application has been made regarding how the money is to be dispersed.
The attorney said that there is also a civil suit in the High Court in connection with the same matter. A date is still to be set for the hearing.
A GNIC truck was transporting a transformer near Friendship, East Bank Demerara on December 21, 2007, when the transformer fell off and smashed into a minibus transporting passengers.
The driver, Trevor Charles, and 66-year-old passenger Kenneth Welch were killed.
Among the injured passengers were Charles Paul, who suffered a broken arm and 12-year-old Kishana Chang, who suffered a broken leg. GNIC officials gave Welch’s widow $35,000 and also assisted in transporting his body to Ituni for burial.
Charles Paul said he received $15,000 from the Ministry of Labour and Human Services, but nothing
from GNIC or GPL.
Paul, who is overseas, said that he has not completely recovered and may have to undergo a second surgery.
The man has solicited the service of a lawyer to look into his case and expressed frustration at the length of time the matter is taking to be resolved.
Relatives of Richard Charles and Kishana Chang said they received no monetary assistance from either company.
In an interview a few weeks ago, Charles’ wife, Michelle, told Kaieteur News that the family has been finding it difficult to cope financially since his death.
“It’s really hard. I was a housewife but I had to find a job.”
GNIC officials had said that they were advised to await the outcome of the investigation before rendering further assistance to the victims and their families.
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