BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Federation has recorded its second road fatality for the year.
Dead is 21-year-old Lenroy ‘Ben’ Thomas of Saddlers.
Head of the St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force’s Traffic Department, Inspector Cromwell Henry, in an exclusive interview told SKNVibes that the incident took place at about 5:45 yesterday afternoon (April 20) at Saddlers Project.
He said Thomas was travelling on a motorcycle (P7125) along the main road in Saddlers Project “when he fell from the motorcycle and ended up under a parked vehicle. The motorcycle ended some distance away from the car and made no contact with anything.” Henry explained that Thomas was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
SKNVibes understands that the incident transpired just outside Thomas’ home. He was rushed to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Henry said investigations into that incident are ongoing.
The first road fatality for the year was Rupert Simms of Parson; that incident took place on April 2, 2010 also in Saddlers.
Some years ago, a law was enacted making it mandatory for motorcycle operators as well as pillion riders to wear protective headgear - a helmet. Inspector Henry reminded that was created for the benefit of motorcyclists but cannot prove effective if it is not adhered to.
“We continue to get resistance from motorcyclists in wearing helmets. We want to remind that the use of helmets is for their protection, and so we continue to urge all motorcyclists to always wear helmets. It can mean the difference between life and death should there be a collision. We really hope that motorcyclists would take their own safety seriously and wear helmets.”
