Truck finally extracted from Essequibo River

Apr 15, 2014 News

– TH&D assessing damages

Authorities attached to the Transport and Harbours Department, (TH&D) are assessing the damage to the truck which fell off ‘roll on roll off,’ ferry, MV Kanawan, and into the Essequibo River, on Wednesday.
Five days after it fell into the Essequibo River, authorities have confirmed that, the truck was successfully hoisted onto dry land Sunday evening.

The truck being removed from the Essequibo River.

On Wednesday, the truck which was transporting goods to Supenaam, reportedly slipped off the ferry and sank in the river while disembarking the MV Kanawan at the Supenaam Stelling.
The truck, GKK 9195, was at the time transporting over $2.5M worth of chicken feed and other valuable cargo, when it slipped into the Essequibo River and sank between the vessel and the floating ramp.
Initial reports suggested that the access, which leads from the boat to the stelling, suddenly collapsed resulting in the misfortune.
TH&D General Manager, Marcellene Merchant, told this newspaper yesterday, that the department is continuing its investigations into the incident. Merchant said that after several failed attempts, the truck was removed from the river, using equipment of the Public Works Ministry.
“We are currently conducting investigations and assessing the damage done to the truck. Based on the investigations and assessments we will know whether it can be repaired or if the situation warrants a new truck.”
A total of nine small vehicles, three Canter trucks, nine small wheel-base trucks and seven full size trucks were being transported from Parika to Supenaam, when the incident occurred, on Wednesday.
Passengers and other vehicles were allowed to safely disembark the vessel approximately one hour after the incident occurred. This newspaper was told that until now, investigations have revealed that the lines, which serve to secure the boat to the stelling, were not properly anchored.
Investigators are trying to figure out who gave instructions to the driver to disembark the ferry despite the lines not properly adjoined or whether the driver received any instruction at all.
The driver of the vehicle, Husbert Thomas, managed to escape unhurt by exiting via one of the truck windows.
The owner of the vehicle, Delroy Griffith, had been lobbying for compensation for the loss of his $6M truck.
Yesterday, truck owner, Delroy Griffith, told this newspaper that the vehicle is severely damaged but he is prepared to cooperate with officials as they work to find a suitable solution.
“Ah de whole truck damage— de cabin, engine, chassis, gear box everything gone bad. Right now me ah cooperate with dem, and wait fa hear what dem ah go do. Dem come and tek photograph and statement from meh and so.”
Griffith claimed that the truck is his main source of income.
“Me doubt whether dem can repair the truck, but if dem can repair am, me nah mind cause is dem workers negligence cause dis. Is over 15 years me driver deh pan de truck.
“All me want is me truck and compensation for de goods and so. Is people goods me bin ah bring over.”