SSA driver dies in crash

Barbados recorded its 12th road fatality on Thursday when Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) worker Damien Lynch lost his life in an accident along Cleland Hill, St Andrew, downhill from the Farley Hill National Park.

The deadly crash occurred around 3:10 p.m., involving the SSA’s truck driven by 35-year-old Lynch of Long Gap, Grazettes, St Michael, and a motorcar driven by 60-year-old Everton Morris, of Franklyn Road, Belleplaine, St Andrew.

Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified by a sibling, said Police Public Relations Officer Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged.

“The driver of the motor car said he was unhurt but stated he will be seeking private medical attention,” Inniss reported.

Minister of Environment and National Beautification Adrian Forde, under whose portfolio the SSA falls, was at the scene and remembered Lynch as a selfless and hard worker.

“On behalf of the entire Sanitation Service department and, by extension, the Government of Barbados, I send condolences to the family of our beloved Damien who became an integral part of [SSA] over the last year or so; a man who understood the tenets of hard work, discipline, [and] commitment.

“He was an exceptional, exceptional worker and the little time he spent with us he was a shining light, an example…. He would have left an indelible mark not only on the landscape of Barbados [but] he worked tirelessly to ensure that persons’ garbage was collected and that the place remained clean and green, and he left an indelible impression on all those working around him,” Minister Forde stated.

Meanwhile, Acting Inspector Inniss said the road was closed to vehicular traffic until it could be cleaned and sanitized, since diesel from the overturned truck had spilled on the roadway.

“I would like to advise the public to continue to drive safely on the roads of Barbados as this is now the 12th fatality resulting from 11 accidents,” the police spokesman said as he again urged members of the public to desist from circulating crime and accident scene photographs on social media.

“We have said this time and time again and we have been pleading with the public for years now in respect of social media and the posting of these images . . . . They have no regard for the family members who are grieving. It doesn’t look good, it is not respectful and I am sure that they wouldn’t want it for themselves.

“We have been asking people to desist from this for the longest time and we will continue to do so. Sad thing is that those individuals get to scenes before police officers arrive and rather than helping the cause, they are creating problems for all of us. We are asking, pleading with persons to desist from such behaviour at scenes of crimes and accidents.” (FW)