House collapses, pins student nurse

Nov 29, 2012 News

Eight persons are now homeless and a student nurse, Selwyn Semple, 18, of Lot 8 Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue was on Wednesday seriously injured when their house that was being repaired collapsed and fell on the youngster, partially pinning him under the building.

Student nurse: Selwyn Semple

The young man who is the eldest of six children, was at the time assisting his father and a contractor to plumb the cottage.
According to his father, Clarence Semple, who is a carpenter, he had hired a contractor, Allan Ally, to conduct repairs and plumb the house.
Ally and his employee, with some help, were conducting repairs to the building. He said that his son, who is a student nurse, was in the process of writing his first year examination. He had written his first exams on Tuesday and had the day off on Wednesday and was scheduled to write the final exams today. He said that his son decided to assist and was partially under the house at the front section.
They had raised the house a considerable way and had another four inches to go when the house suddenly collapsed.
His son heard the cracking noise and tried to escape, but was hit on his head by a beam. He fell and was struck on other parts of his body. He ended up being partially pinned under the falling structure.
Neighbours quickly arrived and assisted those in the yard to free the youth who was bleeding through his mouth and nose. He also sustained injuries to his eyes and head.
He was quickly put in a neighbour’s car and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital accompanied by his mother, Michelle Semple.
News of his injuries quickly spread among his colleagues who flocked the hospital. Others held hands and started to pray. Up to press time Semple was still in the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital.