News

Things fall apart - Family struggles after Mount Rosser freak accident

A man finalising repairs to the wall on the Mount Rosser main road. - LEIGHTON WILLIAMS

THE MOUNT ROSSER wall in St. Catherine, which was torn away by a truck two months ago, has been repaired. But, for the Hinds family, getting their lives back together is still afar off.

The family, who lived below the Mount Rosser main road, has not lived in their house for the last two months. They were forced to move from the house, where they lived for the last 40 years, after a truck belonging to L.C. Bennett and Company and contracted by Windalco, broke the retaining wall and dumped tons of dirt into their house.

"It has been difficult for us," said Una Hinds. "The situation at the house is much worse now because of the rains so a lot of mud and dirt that was left by the truck has washed down into the house and finished damaging the rest of our furniture."

The incident happened on May 24 while Una's brother was sitting on the veranda with their mother. Una says since then she has become hypertensive and her first son has been getting fits. As far as she is concerned, the problem could have been avoided if the authorities had acted after they had reported that the wall was tearing away.

But Councillor Daphne Ritchie, who represents Mount Rosser, says money was approved for the wall to be fixed shortly before the accident.

"When the wall was torn away, the contract was already given. It was very unfortunate that it happened though," she said.

Councillor Ritchie was unable to say how much it cost to repair the wall but said it was awarded based on her recommendations.

But, life may soon return to normal for the Hinds family. Una said she received a letter last week Thursday informing her that repairs to her house would start soon. But, for now, the only thing she can do is wait.