A British holidaymaker was crushed to death by an unlicensed lorry driver in Barbados, but the driver has escaped prosecution because the incident did not occur on a public road, an inquest heard. Janet Purkess, 87, died in 2020 after being hit by a 29-tonne HGV at Bridgetown Port, shortly after disembarking from the Saga Sapphire cruise ship. The truck driver, Anthony Walcott, was operating the vehicle without a license and at speed.
A coroner in Britain has criticized the handling of the case by authorities in Barbados. Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp described it as "extraordinary" that the criminal case against Mr. Walcott was dismissed by a Barbados magistrates' court on the grounds that the collision did not happen on a public road. The case had been adjourned 19 times over five years before its dismissal. Mrs. Purkess's family has been seeking answers for six years.
The inquest began in 2023 but was adjourned for three years pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Relatives were not informed of the criminal case's dismissal until after the seven-day appeal period had expired. "This has left the Purkess family feeling even worse about what is a horrific situation," Rhodes-Kemp stated, adding that she believed the area should have been legally considered a road and that the short appeal window, coupled with the lack of notification, was regrettable.
The Saga Sapphire cruise ship had made an unscheduled stop in Bridgetown for refueling. Passengers were permitted to disembark. Crewman Apolonio Abag, who witnessed the incident, reported hearing loud revving as the truck reversed at speed. He stated that the truck was going "too fast" and that he believed the driver was in a hurry and did not see Mrs. Purkess. Abag provided a statement to ship staff but was never interviewed by the police.
Investigators concluded that the truck lacked sufficient mirrors, a reversing alarm, and an assisting officer. The vehicle also had a large crane behind the driver's side, obstructing visibility. Mr. Walcott, who was reportedly driving alone as his supporting operator had left months prior and not been replaced, had no current HGV license. The contract with the company that owned the truck had also reportedly terminated in 2016 and was not renewed.
Mr. Walcott stated in a police report that he had checked his mirrors and believed no one was behind him before reversing. He reported feeling a bump, initially mistaking it for garbage, before realizing a person was lying in front of his vehicle. He then called his father to report the incident.
Rhodes-Kemp described the circumstances as a "perfect storm" of a "terribly tragic" situation. She noted that there were no signs indicating that passengers should not be in the area where the incident occurred. The coroner, who has 15 years of experience, described Mrs. Purkess's injuries as the most horrific she had ever seen, as both the front and rear wheels of the lorry had passed over her.