Crash survivor happy to be alive

The truck after the accident

The driver of a truck which crashed at Warner late yesterday afternoon emerged from the Accident and Emergency of the Princess Margaret Hospital late last night, happy to be alive.

The truck was traveling down a particularly steep section of the hill approaching Jimmit from Warner when the accident took place. He, Charldon Benjamin, along with three other men, Royer Henry, Christopher James and Gammon Pacquette were all able to walk out of the hospital with minor injuries.

Benjamin explained the crash stating, “I was coming down the hill and the truck started sliding because of the wet road. When I applied the brake, it slid more and started swaying left and right. Royer suggested I hit it on the bank and I hesitated at first but I really had no choice, so I decided to hit the bank.”

He continued, “The truck rolled over twice or three times and when it stopped, I knew I was safe so I called on the other two guys who were at the front of the truck to see if they were OK. Pacquette had bailed out because he was at the back. After they answered, some people came to help and we took them out of the truck and tried to keep them calm because I could see that they were bleeding.”

Benjamin received fifteen stitches and came out of the hospital with a visibly swollen foot, but concluded, “Of course, I’m happy to be alive, thank God that I’m still alive.”

At the time of the crash, the truck was not laden and a disturbance in the flow of traffic caused by the wreckage was cleared by the swift work of the Fire and Ambulance Service.

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37 Comments

  1. stay bless
    September 12, 2011

    thank God you all a ok please take care all drivers one love

  2. Tru Dominican!!!!!!!
    August 19, 2011

    I am soo Happy that my grandfather survived this crash all we got to do is Thank God and stop twalking negative stuff and be thankful that we didn’t lose any lives in this accident!!! For once keep the negativity out shessssh

  3. Domnitjen
    August 18, 2011

    This piece of road is an accident in waiting. I recall driving behind a dump truck which had some building materials but because of the steepness of the incline the truck refused and lo and behold it was running back down towards me. I had to think very quickly and reverse all be it down the hill. Had I not been driving an automatic vehicle I would probably have gotten caught behind that dump truck.
    I sometimes wonder what kind of road engineer would dare to design a piece of road that steep. The convenience of that road is not worth the risks. A couple of S-turns would be much better than the straight but steep “piece of danger”. And what is even worse there are no railings along that road in spite of the potential for accidents.

  4. PSSHHHH
    August 18, 2011

    keep the negative talk for another forum, lives were speared THANK GOD FOR THAT

  5. thickerz
    August 18, 2011

    thank God he didn’t claim the lives of these young men. Charldan u are a careful driver and I say that out of experience. when something has to happen then it will happen. keep praying God wasn’t ready to let us suffer ur loss

  6. so
    August 18, 2011

    Everytime I hear of a car accident I often reflect back to the careless drivers who seem to think that there lives are invinsible. They drive so fast with no restriction, whether going up or down, on a wet or dry road, straight road or around a corner, they drive really bad.
    Despite the white line in the road they still sway into the other lanes.

    Hope the govt take strict stance on those drivers.

    • TeteMorne I From...
      August 18, 2011

      How “careless” was he? He said exactly what transpired BEFORE the crash, didn’t he? It was WET and SLIPPERY, he braked but still crashed. I do not understad your comment. This man was blameless. Blame the wet road and/or hydroplaning. sheesh

      • Anonymous
        August 19, 2011

        hush ur mouth if u die understand ur just a a class retarded ok the road is wet and slippery if it was not wet when he applied the break it would have had stopped one time fool

  7. angie
    August 17, 2011

    Warner road is not a road for trucks to either drive up or down it is too risky and the authority should seek advise from experience truck drivers who are aware of the dangers.

  8. JCB
    August 17, 2011

    I totally agree with Red-Ants we need to have rules followed on the road.. Speed Limit Parking. Seat belts, ROAD WORTHY Vehicles those types are flat now but what was their condition in the first Place.

  9. Justice and Truth
    August 17, 2011

    Thank God their injuries were not life threatening and they are alive.
    This is an advice when it is raining which all drivers should know. Dominica has steep hills and precipices therefore, PLEASE SLOW DOWN especially when it is raining because you will slip and slide, i.e., your vehicle.
    Take care of your swollen foot and ensure that it is properly healed. These injuries have a way of not healing as they should and could cause further pain and suffering which lead to worst health problems especially as we age.
    God bless!

  10. Blessedbeyondmeasure
    August 17, 2011

    Blessed be the name of the Lord. He is still in the prayer answering business. Trust the Lord in all things and let Him direct. Give Him thanks and praise for spearing the lives of these men. He has a great plan for each of them.

  11. Blessedbeyondmeasure
    August 17, 2011

    To God be all praise and Glory for His goodness towards His people. He is still in the answering prayer business. Thank you Lord for hearing and answering my prayers daily. I will continue trusting and waiting upon you Lord. Bless your name always.

  12. dominican abroad
    August 17, 2011

    THANKS RED ANTZ POINTE WELL TAKEN, MAN THEM OLD CARS AND TRUCKS THE DRIVERS CANT AFFORD TO FIX THEM THEY GO TO A SHADE TREE MECHANIC, HALF OF THEM DONT KNOW WHAT THEY DOING I SEE THEM CARRYING TOURIST , WHILE I WAS HOME A FEW YEARS AGO ONE OF THEM OLD TRUCK CONVERTED TO ONE OF THE ESOTIC LOOKING LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF HAWAII 5 -0 CRASH AND KILLED A FEW TOURIST SOME HAD TO BE FLOWN TO MARTINIQUE OR GUADELOUPE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT WHILE THE CRUISE SHIP CAPTAIN, AND CREW WONDER MY POINTE IS REGULATE THEM OLD VECHICLE, DRIVER NEED TO TAKE VECHICLE MAINTENANCE SERIOUSLY THIER LIFR DEPEND ON IT.

  13. FLORIDA
    August 17, 2011

    Thank God for life and for miracles. Happy no serious injuries. Let us be serious can’t believe that was a licensed and registered truck driving on the road. Some people are brave playing with their lives.

  14. mahaut
    August 17, 2011

    thank god my homies is safe

  15. me
    August 17, 2011

    Nice story…. no guns, no killing (deaths) no politics……Happy those guys walked out alive…….Seems skeritt did not have anything to do with this one…or did he? hummmmmm….:)

    • Anonymous
      August 17, 2011

      YEA MAN he did…the material they put on the road not right dats y a truck had to slide even wen da driver press brakes!they gotta get it right!

    • UNBELIEVABLE!!
      August 17, 2011

      IDIOT!!!

    • hell hath no furry!!!!!
      August 17, 2011

      now u real funny!!!

  16. CUFFY
    August 17, 2011

    AGREE WITH RED ANT-RED.100%

  17. Conscious
    August 17, 2011

    I was happy that we did not hear of another sad story of which there have been many in recent times.

    Best wishes to the men.

  18. naome
    August 17, 2011

    I thank God with you! Halalujah, Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!

  19. JESUS LOVE YOU
    August 17, 2011

    HOPE U GIVE YOUR LIFE TOO CHRIST

    • thickerz
      August 18, 2011

      he is a christian

  20. justice
    August 17, 2011

    Praise God they all safe..

  21. Anonymous
    August 17, 2011

    Give God Praise :)

  22. Amber
    August 17, 2011

    praise the lord almighty!

  23. Red-Antz
    August 17, 2011

    Those tires not looking road worthy at all and worst on wet road. My call over and over again has been for stricter management of our road safety regulations and the enforcement of the law where road safety is concerned. In Dominica we/motorists are allowed to run too many risks, ignoring completely the legal implications and endangering the lives of many. Too many chances are taken on those old “patrac” that run our streets and then when tragedy strikes the country in shock and everybody sorry.

    Accidents do happen but some of them can be avoided with a little human discretion and legal encouragement.

    • Anonymous
      August 17, 2011

      I COULDN’T AGREE MORE

    • Missy
      August 17, 2011

      I COULDN’T AGREE MORE…WELL SAID

  24. seasoning pepper
    August 17, 2011

    heard the loud noise and siad something happened, mins later ambulance and police came rushing then i was convined something was wrong. i myself was in an accident 2 weeks ago because of the wet road, people please take precaution when it is raining, i am thanking God that i am alive i got head injuries but it has all passed.

    God is telling somw of us something listen and take hid!!!!

    • seasoning pepper
      August 17, 2011

      God is saying something to us*

      just correcting the last part*

  25. henri
    August 17, 2011

    Blessed be the name of the Lord. He allowed you your life. If you don’t know him. Serve him.

  26. What is happening
    August 17, 2011

    GOD IS GOOD……

    • angie
      August 17, 2011

      warner road is dangerous

      • angie
        August 17, 2011

        warner road is not a road that truck drivers should either drive up or down it is too risky, and the authourity should seek advise from the experience truck drivers.

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