Authorities have announced plans to better safeguard vendors at the Berinda Cox Fisheries Complex as scores of fisherfolk mourn the tragic passing of a woman described as the “mother of the market”.
On Wednesday, a small memorial at the number three stall along with splattered blood marked the spot where 74-year-old Rita Sissy Hunte plied her trade for more than 40 years. That is also where she was sitting the day before when a Kia Sedan ploughed into the market fatally striking her and simultaneously injuring Dorothy Hall.
Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy Kirk Humphrey was on hand to extend his personal condolences and words of regret to a fishing community whose anger and frustration over the freak accident had now turned to sorrow.
“These are some very funny days in Barbados and you get the sense that from one day to the next you don’t know what will happen. Everybody is carrying their own personal wounds and hurt and if there is anything we can do at the ministry to help, we will gladly do it,” promised Humphrey, who was flanked by a religious leader and a counselor.
Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy Minister Kirk Humphrey (third from right) joins in a prayer of comfort for fisherfolk at the Berinda Cox Fisheries Complex mourning the tragic death of colleague Rita Hunte yesterday.
This was the second time Sissy, a resident of Carter’s Gap, Christ Church, sustained injuries after being struck by a vehicle while sitting in the same spot. Vendors also revealed that another driver lost control sometime ago, running into a wall. For Minister Humphrey, the developments solidified the need to provide greater protection for the workers.
“I understand now that we should look at getting some barriers between the parking lot and the vendors and I promise that is something we will look into. Unfortunately these things occur, but on behalf of the ministry, I want to convey my fullest support for the fish vendors here at Oistins and to all of the vendors in Barbados,” he promised.
However, some vendors like Shauntel Brathwaite, who was very close to the victim of Wednesday’s freak accident, wants authorities to answer their calls before bad things happen.
“To be honest with you, a lot of things need to be done to safeguard the workers of this market, but when you go to talk and complain, you hear them making all kinds of excuses,” she told Barbados TODAY.
Brathwaite, who has been working in the fish market for the last ten years, said she would usually sit with Hunte and Hall on the spot where the accident occurred. But yesterday was busy and after working, she instead sat at a nearby tree where she watched in disbelief as the car mounted the pavement, crushing Sissy’s legs and pinning her to a nearby pole.
“To be honest, she was one of the mothers of the market. She would give you advice and sometimes tell you things that you don’t want to hear but that you know you would still have to adhere to. She was always straight and quiet unless there was a reason to raise her voice,” the fish vendor recalled.
Linda Harris, Chairperson of the Oistins Fisherfolk Association remembered hosting a massive birthday party for Sissy last July. She was preparing to do so again.
“Sissy meant so much to me. She always gave me good advice and one of the things that she would always tell me is to continue to do good no matter what others think.
“My heart is so heavy, but in addition to the physical side, I have a spiritual side and I am being strong because I know she was with her maker, accepted God and was baptized,” Harris said.
The deceased reportedly leaves seven children to mourn, including a son, who works at the complex as a fisherman.
While agreeing that more safety measures are needed at the market, Harris also appealed to her colleagues to use the unfortunate experience as a wake up call.
“I am just asking that we live together in love and unity. That is my appeal to the people of this Berinda Cox Fishing Complex. Don’t carry hate in your heart because tomorrow is promised to no one,” she stressed.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb
