Eustace calls for thorough investigation into collision

Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace was just outside the room at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Saturday night when Edgar Cruickshank took his last breath.{{more}}

Eustace, speaking on the New Times radio programme yesterday, described his experience at the hospital where Cruickshank, a resident of Questelles, succumbed to injuries sustained during a motor vehicle collision at Clare Valley.

“It was a situation I would not like to see repeated in this country of ours…. I would never like to see that again. When one thinks about the kind of reasons, it really makes you shudder,” Eustace said.

The opposition leader said that he was standing outside the room where Cruickshank was being tended to by doctors.

“It had been pointed out to me, because you could see through the glass, that much of the effort of the doctors was focused on his upper body while it was quite obvious that his legs were broken. They then signaled to us that something more serious had happened to Mr Cruickshank,” he explained.

He further stated that a while later, he was informed by a doctor that Cruickshank had died.

Eustace called for a thorough investigation to be done surrounding the incident.

“While in fact he (Cruickshank) has been silenced, his story has been told and his message shall be delivered. We need a strict and thorough investigation into this matter void of political interference,” he said.

Eustace also urged people to be calm while investigations are being carried out.

“I appeal to all our citizens, everyone of you to remain calm. I know we all have our notions but I urge you to remain calm while this investigation is being conducted. We will push for a very strict and comprehensive investigation in this matter,” he said.

“I know that there are a lot of theories out there…but our objective must be to get to the bottom of this issue. It has serious implications for the nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines; very serious implications.”

According to a release from the New Democratic Party (NDP), a black 4-door vehicle drove directly into the crowd gathered at a public meeting hosted by the NDP last Saturday. When the vehicle came to a stop, it had five people pinned under it and had injured several other people. (BK)