Bystanders look on as two wreckers attempt to hoist this Kenworth trailer, which had run off the road into the Rio Cobre, in the Bog Walk gorge, St. Catherine, yesterday. The driver was assisted by passers-by who took him to hospital. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

The driver of a trailer that overturned in the Rio Cobre, in the Bog Walk gorge, in St. Catherine, was taken to hospital yesterday while wreckers attempted to retrieve the vehicle from the river.

The police report that, about 6:45 a.m., the Kenworth trailer, laden with sand, was travelling from St. Thomas to Montego Bay, St. James, when, on reaching a section of the road, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which ran off the road and overturned into the river. The injured driver was reportedly rescued by passers-by and taken to the Spanish Town Hospital, where he was admitted.

Several persons from the surrounding area, who had arrived upon the scene, said they were surprised that the driver survived the impact.

"Him lucky bad, and mi glad that him survive, but mi sorry sey a nuh something like cement and other things inside the trailer instead of sand that wi jus go back ina di river".

Vehicle scrapped

When the police left the scene, persons took advantage of the situation and stripped mechanical parts and other personal effects from the ill-fated vehicle. Others were even seen making orders for vehicular parts from the trailer.

Several hours after the truck went over, it was still in the water as attempts by several wreckers to move it proved futile. The Bog Walk police are investigating the accident.