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Tragic Port Death: Driver Escapes Charges
29 Jun
Summary
- An 87-year-old cruise passenger was crushed to death at a port.
- Driver escaped charges because the fatal crash occurred off a public road.
- An inquest heard authorities failed to interview an eyewitness.
An inquest has revealed that a truck driver escaped charges following the death of an 87-year-old cruise passenger, Janet Purkess, who was fatally crushed at a port in Bridgetown, Barbados, in January 2020. The passenger had disembarked from the Saga Sapphire ship. Barbados police determined the death was due to the driver's negligence.
However, a magistrate dismissed charges against the unlicensed and speeding driver, Anthony Walcott, in an "extraordinary ruling." The inquest heard that the crash site was within the scope of Barbados traffic law, contrary to the magistrate's decision.
Procedural lapses were also highlighted, including the absence of port staff monitoring passengers and the failure of police to interview the only eyewitness. The driver's assistant was absent, his truck lacked a reversing alarm, and his vision was restricted. Mrs. Purkess suffered fatal injuries instantly.
