BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO young men had suffered serious injuries on Tuesday night (Nov. 5) during a fight in Mt. Idle, Sandy while over 1 000 people from that Town and neighbouring communities were celebrating Chambalay, a community festival.
A press release concerning the incident reads, “On Tuesday 5th November 2013 around 9:38pm, Delta Squad and Sandy Point Police responded to a fight at a GUY FAWKES celebration in Mt. Idle. Two men suffered wounds they alleged came from unknown persons throwing bottles into the crowd.
“Injured were 32 year old Raymond Williams of Bourkes Project, Sandy Point and 30 year old Gavin Marsham of The Alley, Sandy Point. Marsham received emergency surgery to save his left eye. The original call to the police was about men fighting with machetes, but both victims stated that they were hit by bottles.”
An investigation into the incident was launched by SKNVibes and, contrary to the police release, it was revealed that while Williams was participating in the community festival, a group of men from the same Town approached him and a fight ensued between him and Marsham.
There was no throwing of bottles into the crowd or use of machetes during the fight.
This publication learnt that whilst the two men were fighting, a third party, who is said to be a friend of Marsham, took a steel rim that is used to make music by iron bands and tried to hit Williams with it.
Unfortunately, both men were injured, with Marsham receiving the worse. He received injury to his left eye while Williams received injuries to his forehead and the rear of his head.
They were taken to the JNF Hospital, where Williams was treated and discharged on the following day while Marsham is still warded there following emergency surgery.
Speaking with residents of the area who were witnesses to the fight, but who requested not to be named, SKNVibes was told that a report was made at the Sandy Point Police Station.
“The matter was reported at the Sandy Point Police Station shortly after it occurred, but there was only one officer on duty and he did not leave his post. A long time after, while we were at Mt. Idle outside the area where the after party was held, we saw a police car with three officers inside drove by and went to the station. Shortly after, it drove past us, did not stop, and we later saw them at the hospital,” one resident said.
He continued: “This is the third year since the reintroduction of the community festival and there has never been any disruption during the past two years. The young men and women of SPIRIT had seen it as a fitting gesture that symbolises our commitment to community development. But there are some elements in our Town who are bent on creating mischief and engage in illicit activities.
“It is common knowledge that whenever there is a street jam, police officers would be present. But we in Sandy Point didn’t see the need for their presence, because we had celebrated the past two Chambalays without incidents of such nature. We celebrated with the beating of irons and anything that could make musical sounds as we sing and revel through the streets of Sandy Point. But it seems as if those persons had used the occasion to target people whom they view as enemies.”
This media house will continue to monitor the situation and provide readership on future developments.
