Almost two weeks after a tree from the hillside on the Giraudel/Castle Comfort main road came crashing down on his vehicle, Gommier resident, Marshall Cuffy is still troubled by his narrow escape from injury and possible death.
On top of that, he is struggling to get his badly-damaged pick-up truck, one of the main tools of his livelihood, back on the road again.
Cuffy recounts what he says was a very traumatic experience for him.
“I was going to pick up my wife after two (p.m.) and going down on my left just before Blackmoore [residence of Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore]; I felt something fall on the van,” Cuffy stated in an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO). “I got hit by half of the tree which burst my roof and the spirit of God just pushed me back on the right. This big heavy piece of tree would have just burst through and kill me.”
Cuffy pointed out that if the vehicle had remained on the left side of the road, the tree would have fallen directly on him.
Fortunately, at the time, there was no one on the passenger’s side of the pick-up truck which received the brunt of the impact.
He said fire officers later came to his rescue as well as his two sons (one of whom is a fire officer).
Still plagued by the memories of his brush with death, Cuffy is grappling with the problem of how to replace his vehicle which was extensively damaged by the falling tree.
He said the damage has been estimated at about $10.000.
Cuffy said the vehicle was covered by third party insurance (the insurer provides coverage against any damage or legal liability caused to a person or property other than the one insured) and because of the nature of the coverage, the incident, which is categorized as an “Act of God”, does not qualify for coverage.
The Gommier, Giraudel resident says he will need assistance from wherever he can get it to repair his vehicle or purchase a new one which is needed to enable him to ply his trade as a woodworker.
“Since after Hurricane Maria, I lost everything. My workshop went down; I never got any materials. I never got any help. We sent in applications, letters, estimates…so I’m not sure what they can do now,” Cuffy lamented.
He said he has been traumatized since the incident.
Did this guy not have insurance? One would have to argue his insurance if he has the correct cover should take care of this.
Unreal
Every body looking for a handout. No one wants to spend their money or make sacrifices anymore.
How did this become Rosevelt Skerrit problem.
There are so many negative people in this world. OMG
I dont know the man’s circumstances, so I will not comment on him personally. However, there is an article that talks about emergency planning. This is a perfect example of not having emergency funds to help him get back on his feet.
I have found a lot of people who run small business in Dominica only look at the present. They are really self employed to provide an immediate income on which to live. The business itself has to fend for itself when there is a downturn of any type.
You need to pay yourself, but you also have to reinvest in your business in order to grow it and also protect it in the event of a slowdown in business.
As only the cab appears to be damaged, I would suggest cutting it away and making your own custom cab. This can be canvassed topped (like my 50 year old Land Rover) and fitted with a flat wide screen. The doors can be modified to suit. You don’t need air conditioning as the canvas top will maintain a comfortable temperature.
These modifications could be economically made in wood and are well within the means of an accomplished carpenter. The end result will be safe and distinctive.
You send in application and letters? Bro that is all a smoke screen to make it SEEM, like it’s an application process. How to get assistance was by giving your pal rep your name. If your pal rep however knows you not a Labour rite than you will suck salt, but if you poto red you ok. You sound like a grown man, you should know how things work ‘In a de place’.
Any program government have and “everybody have to apply” doe waste your time, when they sit down in that big room, if the pal rep dunno you you out. Just ask those persons that go and make business and accounts after Maria(or was it Erika , not sure) to get a little small business money. Ask them if they get it yet.
I mean I cannot even understand why someone would be talking about repair that old broken bit of junk!
If this guy have money to repair a bit of junk that is total; no insurance company if that thing was comprehensively insured would pay to repair that.
It would be written off because it will cost more to repair than it’s worth!
You see they claim that Dominica is a wealthy place, but we are witnessing the ugly head of poverty; if this guy was by any chance prosperous, if he had a bank account with enough resources he would not lament over scrap fiberglass, and metal!
As someone said he is labor, if so I am happy he did not get himself killed; so perhaps if Roosevelt is his god; god Roosevelt should have already given him a truck quicker than God.
Roosevelt said when people ask God for something, and he take long; when they beg him he give it instantly!
If you are a DLP supporter they will probably help you. If not crapaud smoke your pipe.
I quite agree with Bee. Sadly this is one of the realities of life in Dominica.
I doh see what all you giving thumbs down for
Jah guidance….be blessed. More blessings will come forth.