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alexk
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Little Zakiah Lorde, who was struck by a falling tree branch on Wednesday, was fighting for her life at the Scarborough General Hospital last night because doctors there have not yet been able to stabilise her so she can be transported by air ambulance to Trinidad.
Lorde suffered multiple fractures about her body and severe head injuries, resulting in swelling and bleeding in her brain, after she was pinned under the branch. The branch fell from a nearby tree which was being cut by a crew from the Tobago House 0f Assembly. Lorde, a Black Rock Government Primary School student, was outside her Hopeton Road, Black Rock home getting ready to head to school at the time.
In a statement yesterday, the THA’s Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment expressed deep regret over the incident and promised to launch an investigation.
“Preliminary reports reaching the Administrator indicate that a team dispatched to the area was in the process of cutting overhanging trees. As a result, the Office of the Administrator has launched an investigation into the matter...Moreover, the Division has initiated an immediate review of its safety procedures and protocols in an effort to mitigate against these types of incidents,” the release said.
The division said it had been in contact with the family and will continue to provide support during this difficult period, while arrangements are being made to provide counselling for the employees involved in the incident.