Janet Purkess inquest: Lorry driver who crushed pensioner to death in Barbados escaped prosecution

The investigation stated that a British pensioner was crushed to death by an unlicensed truck driver who was speeding in a Barbados port, but the perpetrator escaped investigation because the incident did not occur on a public road.

Janet Purkess, 87, was on a “luxury” cruise holiday when she was fatally struck by a 29-tonne HGV shortly after disembarking from the Saga Sapphire in Bridgetown.

The vehicle driven by Anthony Walcott “negligently” turned around, killing the woman instantly.

A coroner in Britain has since condemned Barbadian authorities for their handling of the case, describing the decision dismissing the charges against Mr Walcott as “extraordinary”.

The case, heard in Barbados magistrates’ court, was dismissed on a technicality because the collision did not occur on a public highway.

Further revelations showed Mr Walcott’s case was adjourned a staggering 19 times in five years before it was ultimately dismissed.

Ms Purkess’ family, who endured a six-year wait for answers following her death in 2020, were not informed of the court decision until the seven-day appeal period expired.

His inquest, which began in 2023 at Portsmouth Coroner’s Court in Hants, was postponed until the conclusion of the lengthy criminal case.

Ms Purkess, the widow of a retired sailor from the New Forest village of Lyndhurst, Hants, started the cruise from Southampton, Hants on January 5, 2020.

The 33-night over-50s cruise, which could cost up to £10,000, was scheduled to visit vibrant Caribbean destinations such as St Lucia, Trinidad and St Kitts.

The inquest heard Mr Walcott got out of the truck after hitting Ms Purkess and shouted “mamma mia” while crying.

The blue crane truck, which belonged to Mr Walcott’s father, had no rear-view mirror, reverse alarm or an assistant officer.

It was learned that he was without a license and was speeding excessively.

Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said in her 15 years as a coroner she had “never seen such horrific injuries” as the truck ran over Ms Purkiss with both the front and rear wheels.

Ms Purkess was killed on what was described as a “highway” in Barbados harbour. According to judges in Barbados, this was not a legal route.

Ms Rhodes-Kemp said: “This has left the Purkess family feeling even worse about this terrible situation.

“There is no way this road does not fall into this categorization.

“The really bad part is that there was only a week to appeal and no one was told about the decision.

“I think it’s sad because a week is not a long time to appeal. I think you can win on appeal.”

“I know how much this has affected you, and I think it has greatly affected your sense of loss. I’m sorry.”

Sergeant Ralph Rollock, the prosecutor in Mr Walcott’s case, said his main aim was to have the case referred to the High Court because it was a criminal offence, but he could not persuade the judge that this was a legal course of action.

He said that he told his elders about the outcome of the case, but they were the ones who did not inform the family.

Ms Rhodes-Kemp described the events as the “perfect storm” of a “terribly tragic” situation.

He said: “[Mr Walcott] He was driving the vehicle alone because his assistant operator had left six months ago and had not been relocated.

“There was no audible alarm. Moreover, there was a large winch behind the driving side of the truck, restricting the driver’s view.

“Mr Walcott did not have an existing HGV licence, and his contract with the company was terminated in 2016 and was not renewed.

“The captain left the ship at 9.42. At that time, there was no security personnel at the breakwater to manage the disembarkation of passengers.”

Ms Rhodes-Kemp said there was no signage on the walkway telling travelers they should not be in the area.

He added: “All we know is that Janet Purkess was walking along the road.

“Anthony Walcott wanted to get out of the breakwater because he had finished refueling.

“He couldn’t turn around because it was too narrow, so he was reversing his truck.

“He didn’t see her and tragically the rear of his vehicle hit Janet Purkess and the truck continued to reverse and unfortunately both front and rear wheels went over her.

“I’ve been a coroner for 15 years, I was a nurse before I became a lawyer, and I’ve never seen such horrific injuries.”

In a statement he gave to police and read out at a previous hearing, Mr Walcott said: “A van was parked in front of me.

“I was moving the truck away from some containers, and the men were throwing the garbage on the ship into the containers.

“I checked my right and left mirrors, there was no one behind me and I started backing up.

“I felt a bump, thought it was garbage.

“Then I saw someone lying in front of me.

“I called my father and told him what happened.”

Apolonio Abag, who was part of the cleaning crew on the ship, saw the moment Ms. Purkess was hit by the truck.

He said he drove around behind the truck and was shouted at “aggressively” by Mr Walcott to get out of the way.

He said: “I didn’t see Miss Purkess. I heard a loud noise. It looked like she was pressing the gas pedal very hard.”

“I know this because there was a big cloud of smoke and when I turned to look at the truck I saw it coming back very quickly.

“I turned around and saw the passenger lying on the ground.

“The driver got out and was saying something like ‘mamma mia’.

“After I saw the driver crying next to the truck, I don’t know what he was doing while I went the other way.

“I can’t understand why he didn’t see Miss Purkess as she walked towards the side of the truck.

“I guess he was in a hurry and didn’t see Miss Purkess.”

He said the truck was going “too fast” thinking it was going backwards.

Mr Abag said he gave a written statement to a member of staff on the ship, but the police never asked him to provide a statement.

Sergeant Andrew Sandiford, the crash investigator on the case, said in his report that he concluded Mr Walcott did not have enough mirrors in the truck to see Ms Purkess.

In his report, he said Mr Walcott had been guided by “negligence” and was unaware that the criminal case had been dismissed.

The trial continues.