A police investigation has been launched into the death of a 53-year-old La Brea woman who was knocked down by a Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) bus on Thursday night. Rajpattie Poonhoo, 53, of Freeling, La Brea, died yesterday morning while being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital. Police reports state around 7 pm on Thursday, Poonhoo was walking on Mucurapo Street, San Fernando, when she was hit by the bus while crossing the road. The bus was heading to Borde Narve, Princes Town.
Yesterday an eyewitness said Poonhoo was in front of the old Hobosco cinema when “she dart in front of the bus, but the bus still mash her.” The witness said the driver “mash brakes, but he still hit her. He roll over her and like the back wheel roll over her. Her pants was buss up.” He said the driver stopped the bus, got out and looked at Poonhoo. “He went back to the bus and drive off,” the witness said. Passers-by called the police officer and the Emergency Health Services (EHS) ambulance.
Sergeant Ramdeen, an off-duty police attached to the Penal Police Station, saw the incident and went after the bus. Police said the bus driver said he was unaware he had struck Poonhoo. Poonhoo’s handbag was found close to her as well as a bottle of puncheon rum. The driver of the bus has been questioned by police. San Fernando police have impounded the PTSC bus as investigations into the accident continue.
Deputy general manager of PTSC Carl Ramdeo said, “Our internal investigation team is currently doing their investigation to determine the cause.” Ramdeo said PTSC also has to be guided by the police investigation before any statement is released to the media. Ramdeo also stressed that PTSC is “very, very concerned by what has happened and we want to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who lost her life.”