Truck runs off road at Great House

Susan John is thanking God that there was no loss of life when a truck laden with building material crashed into her home.

On Wednesday morning at about ten, while the educator, who teaches at the Dr. JP Eustace Memorial Secondary School was at work, truck TB 589 driven by someone only identified as ‘Reds’ or ‘Bongo Man’ ran off the road in Great House, Lowmans Leeward.{{more}}

Fortunately, John’s three children were not at home, but her brother Bernard, who was at the residence, was out of harm’s way.

Bernard, who saw the incident unfold, said the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle.

“I was in the kitchen washing dishes when I saw the truck coming down the road; but it was looking as if it was coming with too much speed,” the University of the West Indies student related.

“Then I saw it bounce and twist and just came down in the yard.”

The younger John said that apart from the driver, there was a passenger in the vehicle’s cab, and another in the chassis of the truck.

He said the man in the back was thrown from the vehicle and only suffered minor bruises.

The driver, however, was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with injuries to his right hand. The other person appeared unhurt.

The truck laid waste to retaining wall at the back of the house, as well as a clothes line, outdoor sink, pipes, plants and a patio wall, before resting on the side of the house.

Had the truck not rested on the wall, it could have plunged over an embankment estimated to be over 80 feet high.

On her return home later that day, Susan indicated that she was not pleased with she saw, but was thankful that the damage was not greater.

“I am glad that nothing serious took place,” the teacher with 20 years service said. “In my ten years living here, I have never experienced anything like this.”

John said it was too soon to estimate the cost of the damage to the house, but said that what ever it is, she expects proper compensation.