AG visits Rampaul
Premnath Rampaul, who was struck and injured by a vehicle belonging to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan’s security detail on July 29—the day of the Chaguanas West by-election—was visited at hospital on Sunday night by Ramlogan.
Rampaul, who suffered a broken leg, said Ramlogan apologised for the incident and was concerned about his recovery.
Speaking from his bed at San Fernando General Hospital, Rampaul said: “The Attorney General came and said he was sorry about what happened. He said he would make sure that I am fully compensated by the insurance company.”
Rampaul and his friend, Garth David, both of Cacandee Road, were injured after they were struck by a Toyota Prado belonging to Ramlogan’s security detail.
The incident happened near Felicity Presbyterian Primary School around 8 a.m., while Rampaul and David were on their way to cast ballots at a nearby polling station.
Rampaul suffered multiple fractures when the vehicle rolled over his leg.
He was first taken to Gulf View Medical Centre, where he was visited by Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner, who had first promised to foot his medical bill, but has since said that “whoever” was responsible for taking the man to the private hospital should be liable.
Rampaul said yesterday: “I am only hearing talk, but not seeing the compensation. I have a family and I have bills to pay. I have a loan in the bank. My false teeth fell out and broke. I can’t even eat properly.”
Rampaul, who described the incident as unfortunate, was interviewed by police officers on Tuesday.
He recalled that he was standing on a bridge at the back of the school when he was struck by the vehicle.
Rampaul said he lost consciousness when the vehicle rolled over his leg.
“I think if the driver had taken care and precaution when driving by a school, the narrow lane, this could have been avoided. I was not on the road. I was on the back bridge of the school,” he said.
Rampaul said he was employed as a checker at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation.
“The doctors say it will take a long while before I recover fully. They are seeing slight improvement, but they are trying their best. I already did a CT scan and will do an MRI tomorrow,” he said.
South-West Regional Health Authority chief executive officer Anil Gosine said Rampaul’s condition had improved since he was admitted to San Fernando General Hospital.
Rampaul was transferred from Gulf View Medical Centre to the hospital after his family was told his condition worsened.
His relatives were initially told Rampaul suffered bleeding in the brain and had an embolism.
However, Gosine said: “There have been signs of improvement and he is coming along well. I have no information of brain injury because there was no referral to any neurosurgeon at this point.”
Gosine said the injured man would be transferred to Port of Spain General Hospital for neurosurgical treatment if necessary.