The police have finally given an official statement on an accident in Antrim which claimed the life of a British cruise ship passenger.
The statement was given by Assistant Superintendant of Police, Richmond Valentine, not the police PRO, Pellam Jno Baptiste.
Valentine said one person has died and six have been admitted to hospital.
He said the accident took place around 1:30 pm on November 9, 2016 and it involved a Toyota car with registration number, TL040, driven by Trevor Alfred, 24, of Marigot and Toyota bus, registration number HT141 driven by Jeffrey Gregoire, 43, of Grand Bay.
The bus was moving in a westerly direction while the car was moving in the opposite direction, he stated.
“At the time of the collision, there were ten cruise ship passengers and a tour guide on the bus while the driver of the car was the only occupant,” Valentine explained.
He noted that a total of 13 casualties were transported to hospital; ten of them were non-nationals.
He said six of the injured were admitted while six were discharged with minor injuries.
“The vehicles involved in the collision were extensively damaged and are in police custody,” Valentine stated.
He said a coroner’s inquest will be convened in the death of the visitor.
“Investigations are ongoing,” Valentine noted.
He also said the government, especially the Ministry of Tourism, and the police force express condolences to the family of the deceased and to all those who received injuries in the accident.
Although the word custody means care-of, it is not appropriate for the article. Choice of words!
hi I was on the cruise ship Azura when we heard of the accident.
there was speculation on board as to what happened. Most people on board when we saw the pictures came to the conclusion that the driver of the minibus was not at fault but rather the person in the other vehicle.
Accidents do happen no matter where in the world you are. In the UK seat belts are required in all vehicles and passengers required to wear them.
The roads and footpaths in Dominica are horrendous, but most people who visit there would have read about it on various websites. Then then would have had a choice to do a tour or not.
On the day of the tragedy there where two cruise ships in Dominica. This represents a lot of $ and £ on the island, and into the local economy. Tourism should be endorsed as it seems to be one of the biggest industries on the island,
Hello and good evening my people. First I want to offer my condolence to the decease and injured families. The Police Department have a spoke person so I don’t see any reason for Mr Valentine to issue the statement. He told us about injuries but not a cause or if speed was a factor in the accident. Based on the position of the van if seems to be on its correct side of the road and the extent of damage indicate to me that speed was a major factor. I also saw a video of the accident which clearly show a decease white female and many injured people but there wasn’t any ambulance or Police to provide assistance rather civilians we interfering with the scene where you have a death which should be a homicide . It seems to me that our country is ill equipped to provide rapid rescue or extraction from such serious incidents. Does our Police or Fire Department have the necessary tools to conduct such rescue.
OK DNO,
The police PRO didnt issue this statement so why is his full name and title even mentioned?
In fact, it is never even abbreviated in every police related article, as if it is of major relevance. I dont see police reports elsewhere constantly name dropping on this level.
Nothing personal to this guy as I dont know him but his name doesn’t have to be in every article – or does it?
News items are all about the message not the messenger (as long as he does the job well)
The negative fall-out from this accident has already happened I’m afraid. The Daily Mail in the U.K. carries a headline today, which says:
“Crash that killed British woman and injured nine other cruise passengers near Caribbean beauty spot was inevitable say former holiday makers, who warned of dangers”
On Facebook they criticise safety standards with roads being in bad repair, buses with bald tyres and the use of bricks behind the wheels to stop it rolling when parked.
Again, the cruise line has responded immediately to these concerns reassuring passengers’ safety is paramount and that they only book tours with reputable operators. We will have a lot of work ahead to repair our image. We can do this but must be totally focused and dedicated.
Cruise ship schedule week commencing 14 Nov. , 2016:
Mon. 14 Nov, Britannia, max. pass. 4,406
Wed. 16 Nov., Serenade of the Seas, (o8.00 hrs.-17.00 hrs.), max. pass. 2,873
Thur. 17 Nov., Norwegian Gem, (08.00 hrs. – 17.00 hrs.), max. pass. 2,873
Sun. 20 Nov., Mein Schiff 5, (o7.00 hrs. – 19,00 hrs.), mazx. pass. 2,700
Hmm the picture that is being painted is not the problem . The real problem is the road and reckless drivers.
So sorry this accident occurred which caused the demise of a visitor and the injuries of some others.
We could visualize how much the family is grieving over the life of their beloved one who was a tourist in Dominica.
There is no doubt that all D/cans are saddened at what occurred, the passing of a visitor and those who are injured.
I am also certain that the drivers are also saddened.
Everyone’s condolence goes out to the grieving family.
I wish the departed’s soul God’s blessing and to rest in peace.
May the injured be healed in time. God’s healing power be on you.
We should express respected recognition to Assistant Superintendent of Police, Richmond Valentine for providing some clarity to what has happened here.. These are serious matters and should not be left in the hands of bunch of incompetents who were put into positions in our agencies because of their loyalty to the DLP ..the cow with the milk and cheese
Clayton, for one who is educated, I would not have expected this from you (your last sentence).
If they support a Party, the government, it goes without saying they will be loyal. Furthermore it is their prerogative. Some of you make it something bad.
This also applies to UWP supporters. Furthermore, no one must forget that the PM is an authority and is in authority. If he disagrees with some, they are obligated to obey. It is also as a boss. Surely you have had subordinates and expected them to obey you whether or not they like your directives.
In Holy Scripture, St. Paul told us to obey authority. Try studying Holy Scripture.
I have noted no matter whatever the action of Lennox Linton, UWP supporters are with him all the way. They can see no evil in him. Is this not loyalty?
What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Let us all get along no mater what our political preference. This is exercising common sense. It also depicts maturity.
Valentine is just as bad at the reat and need to brush up alot on his reading and speaking skills. i heard the man say, there was 1 fatality, injuries and 1 death……………………Valentine fatality is death smfh
But valentine was placed their also because he is an ideologue how the incompetent DLP
Maybe the police does not want everyone to see the graphic details of this horrendous crash but it is too late for that. Full pictures pictures are spread all over the British press and it is not a pretty sight.
That is not the reason for having the vehicles in their custody….
I’m trying to make sense of this statement “The vehicles involved in the collision were extensively damaged and are in police custody,” Valentine stated. I encourage persons reporting the news to proof read and use proper sentence structure. The families and friends of the deceased and injured are reading Dominica news for information on what occurred. Let’s be clear and not give them a puzzle to decipher.
Ok….so what is do difficult to understand about : “The vehicles involved in the collision were extensively damaged and are in police custody.”
Even my seven year old could understand it.
So what is the problem? Maybe you should go to night school.
No Anon, people are in custody not objects. Look up the meaning of custody. Maybe u need to go to night school
Perhaps you should attend school with your seven year old……”vehicles involved in the collision are in police custody”. Indeed your seven year old would understand the sentence but why don’t an “educated” person like you correct him/her and say “The vehicles involved in the collision were extensively damaged and the driver is in police custody”. Don’t continue to wear your ignorance as a badge of honor.
ppl like u was just waiting for the official statement to be negative.
Lol I want some of what you and the people who give you thumbs up smoking
Why be so picky about what was stated? I understood it. The vehicle must be further examined. One of the drivers was wrong. Where else should they be?
The police has to prepare a report on the accident for investigation purposes. I am assuming, it is also for the Court, the prosecutor when that day arrives and also for the insurance companies, the family of the deceased and the injured.
The best place for the vehicles is at the police station, wherever they are kept. Where else could be they be at this time?
The word custody doesn’t ONLY mean jail/imprisonment. It also means ‘protective care/in charge of’ hence the vehicles involved are in custody.
Guess who’s getting a dictionary/thesaurus for Christmas….
All the British main media carried this item this morning (U.K. time), including T.V. and radio such as ITV and BBC news and major news papers: The Telegraph, The Mirror, The Sun, Daily Mail, the Guardian.
I truly wish we had taken the initiative on this, showing our concern and sympathy and mitigate the negative effects of this tragic accident. We may be able to control the local media to a large extent but we do not live in isolation and the way this was handled solicits questions and suspicions about our motives and sincerity, which is not necessary. Please, let us be more professional.
So true. Also, on the P&O forum, there are a lot of negative comments about driving in Dominica and the state of the roads and vehicles.
P&O have seen the comments, and responded accordingly.
This is a tragic event, but I really hope some good safety measures will come out of it.
Can you please indicate who acted unprofessionally and how? Do you not expect the British media to report on an accident involving their people in which one of those persons died?
Very true, I saw the accident via social media and then on the news after. Yet I have not seen any officials coming forward to express concern or condolences to the families. Sitting back and watching for others to publicise the tragedy is not going to help tiny Dominica especially when it comes to tourism.
I’m sure someone has this as part of their job description, if not then this is an opening.