7 News Belize

Garbage collector Run Over And Killed By Garbage Truck
posted (February 22, 2013)
A garbage collector lost his life in Belize City around 2:30 this afternoon when he was run over by his own garbage truck. It happened on Holy Emmanuel Street in the Lake Independence area. KENRICK MONEY SUTHERLAND - who is a temporary worker on his first day of work with Belize Waste Control was sitting on the edge of a small garbage truck when he fell off, right beneath the back wheels of the truck. According to eyewitnesses, he had just jumped unto the truck as it was moving off and never did stabilize himself. The driver didn't have time to react and ran over his chest without even knowing. The driver had to be alerted that he had just run over someone. He was rushed to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

We spoke to the George Lamb, the General Manager of Waste Control who didn't yet have much information:..

George Lamb, General Manager - Belize Waste Control
"Information is so sketchy, we haven't gotten anything official form the Police Department nor I was able to talk to any employees involved. As a matter of fact they are still giving their statement as we speak to the officers who are investigating the case. Unfortunately I was made to understand that one of my employees fell off the truck and he died. How it happened, I am not sure the details of the case. I am not fully aware, so I am hoping to go in there and find out what really went on. We'd like to on behalf of the management and company of Belize Waste Control to extend our condolences to the family and we want to assure them that the company stands ready to assist in which whatever way possible to help them through this time."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, can you tell us the history of this employee? I was made to understand that you hired him on a contractual basis and it's an off and on sort of thing."

George Lamb, General Manager - Belize Waste Control
"Basically they are guys that hangs around the landfill area and from time to time if we would have a vacancy some of these fellows would come over and filled those vacancy only on a temporary basis, maybe for a day or a couple of hours. That's the way it's been working with them. This particular worker I know of one occasion where he worked with us before."

Daniel Ortiz
"Can you tell us where exactly this accident happened?"

George Lamb, General Manager - Belize Waste Control
"I have absolutely no information as to where the accident actually occurred. I went to the family earlier today just to express our condolences with the family. But exactly where the accident happened I am yet to find that out. Hopefully after discussing with the police we could get that information."

Daniel Ortiz
"I know that you may have visited the morgue to see confirm."

George Lamb, General Manager - Belize Waste Control
"I was at the Emergency section at the hospital and I saw the body of the individual and it wasn't a nice experience. He was somebody's relative and that really touched me, so as we stand here I am sort of torn-out inside because he was a person and must be treated and respected as such."

Lamb has said they will assist the family of the deceased.

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