PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Saturday led a Government team to Guyana to get a first hand look of the Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) 737-800 BW 523 which crashed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at 1:33 am on Saturday. There were 157 passengers and six crew members on board.
The Prime Minister is being accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Transport Devant Maharaj, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Rodger Samuel and Security Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister Gary Griffith.
Before departing from Piarco International Airport, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she had spoken to the US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Beatrice Welters about having the National Transporation Safety Board (NTSB) assist in the investigations as to what caused the accident.
In her absence Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Errol McLeod will be the acting Prime Minister.
Caribbean Airlines in an update on the accident issued at 5 pm on Saturday, said a team “consisting of technical support staff and executives was dispatched immediately to the accident site to assist passengers, and to work with the local authorities in the emergency response and investigations. The Caribbean Airlines executive team and technical support staff are at the scene to offer full support to the injured in Georgetown. A relatives/customer assistance hotline has been established at our emergency centre in Piarco, and counselling is being provided to passengers and family members.”
The statement said a press conference was held just after midday Saturday in Georgetown.
“In attendance were Chairman, George M. Nicholas III; Head Corporate Communications, Mrs. Laura Asbjornsen; Vice President Operations, Captain Thomas Lawrence and Vice President Maintenance and Engineering, Mr Colville Carrington. It was confirmed that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority will be spearheading the investigation and will be assisted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S. and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).
“The team ensured that its CARE policy for affected passengers and crew was deployed in Georgetown. The airline has engaged the services of a company from the United States, together with regional personnel to implement in accordance with this policy.
“Caribbean Airlines understands the public’s desire to gain information related to this event and is fully committed to providing details. We are guided by both Guyanese and U.S. authorities which limits our availability to communicate details of the event unless they are confirmed by the relevant authorities. We ask for your understanding as the airline must take strict precautions to ensure all the facts are accurate before they are released.
“All inquiries related to this specific incident should be directed to:-
Trinidad & Tobago: 1 868 669 2902
United States: 1 800 786 3891
Canada: 1 800 380 6057
Caribbean: 1 800 744 6453
