Bowman’s Coroner’s inquest continues

19.JUNE.09

by Omesha Spence

Four more witnesses were brought forward on Wednesday, June 17th, to testify in the Coroner’s inquest into the death of Patsy Bowman of Ratho Mill.{{more}}

The four witnesses who appeared at the Serious Offences Court included Meteorologist David Burgin, Planning Officer from the Physical Planning Unit, Colin Campbell, Police Inspector Franklin Williams and Trinidadian Kerrin Burgis, a Civil Engineer, who specializes in Geo Mechanics and Structural Engineering.

Patsy Bowman, 67, was crushed to death on 19th September, 2008, after a retaining wall owned by businessman Alex Jack collapsed smashing her vehicle.

Giving evidence, Burgis, who was invited to St. Vincent by the Caribbean International Law Firm, presented a report he had done after inspecting the collapsed wall at Ratho Mill. Burgis stated that many factors including the rain, the structure of the wall and the drainage capacity all contributed the collapse of the wall.

Presenting an extensive report on his findings, Burgis concluded that the wall collapsed on the 19th September, 2008, because the integrity of the wall had been compromised. According to him, the heavy rainfall, coupled with the unsuitable drainage system, caused a build up of water in the soil behind the wall – a hydro static pressure, he said, causing the wall to fall.

Met. Officer David Burgin told the court that the amount of rainfall recorded between the 18th and 19th of September was a significant amount. Burgin stated that between 8 p.m on the 18th September, 2008, and 8 a.m. on the 19th September, 2008, 123.1 millimeters of rainfall were recorded. He added that another 14.1 millimeters were recorded around 8.pm on the 19th September 2008. Although Burgin clarified that his duties as a Met officer do not include analyzing the damage, the rain could have done to the wall, he did report that the heavy amount of rainfall recorded within 24hrs was “an anomaly”.

Also giving evidence was Planning Officer in the Physical Planning Unit Colin Campbell. Campbell presented records of applications made to the Planning Unit for the construction and development of properties. Campbell confirmed that in 1994, an application had been made to the Planning Unit by Alex Jack for the construction of the wall. During cross examination, Counsel Patina Knights questioned Campbell as to why question marks were placed in the columns next to some persons’ applications, including the application Jack had made.

Campbell said that question marks where placed to indicate that the decision to approve the application was still being decided at that time. He further explained that it was up to the Physical Planning Board to approve applications.

Police Inspector Franklin Williams also gave evidence in the case, presenting photos taken on the scene of the accident, including the crushed vehicle with Patsy Bowman inside it, and those of the collapsed wall.

The Coroner’s Inquest, which began on Monday, May 25th, will continue on Friday, June 26th, 2009, when the Investigating Officer will be brought forward to give evidence. Trinidadian Engineer Kerrin Burgis will also return to be cross examined by Counsel.