Crime
Another Tragedy for Texas, Truck load of migrants die from the heat after being trapped in a truck
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Texas, USA, June 30, 2022 – At least 62 people, including children, crossed the US-Mexico border in a truck on Monday, probably hoping for a better life, and while they made it into the country 46 of them died before the truck’s doors could open and five more died at hospital. Local media are describing it as the deadliest human smuggling case in modern US history.
US authorities say it was heatstroke and dehydration, the people were in what was supposed to be a refrigerated truck not unlike the ones used to ferry fresh food to supermarkets, only there was no working air conditioning in the truck and when firefighters arrived on the scene they say there was no sign of water either.
San Antonio Firefighters were called when one person stumbled out of the truck and collapsed by the road. Fire Chief Charles Hood described in a press conference what they found when the doors opened.
“The San Antonio Fire Department responded to a report of a dead person and found the trailer — with a body outside and several that they could visibly see inside once the doors were open. We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there. None of us come to work imagining that.” he lamented.
Temperatures in San Antonio where the truck was discovered were as high as 37 degrees (Celcius). When temperatures reach between 32° and 40° heat cramps and a little heat exhaustion starts to appear, between 40° and 50° heat exhaustion is apparent once the temperature goes past 54° then deadly heat strokes are likely. Temperatures in cars can rise exponentially on hot days, dwarfing the temperatures outside.
A study from Arizona State University found that cars can reach 71° in summer. A surface that hot will give human third degree burns. The study found that cars can hit that mark in under an hour. This usually only refers to parked cars since moving vehicles either have the windows down or the air conditioning on. The truck carrying the migrants had neither.
Miraculously 16 survived initially, four of them being children, unfortunately later the public would learn, five of the survivors passed away at hospital.
“The patients that we saw were hot to the touch, they were suffering from heatstroke and heat exhaustion, no sign of water either,” said Hood.
The nationalities of several of the dead have been confirmed to be Honduran, Mexican and Guatemalan.
Three people are said to be in custody.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
July 23rd, 2024.
Around 10:59 am, the Police Control Room received a call of gunshots at a location along the Millennium Highway, Providenciales.
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were dispatched and, based on preliminary investigations, were told that the occupant (s) of a red Suzuki Swift was at a business place when another car pulled alongside it, and the occupants started shooting.
The driver of the Swift drove off while the other unidentified vehicle sped off in a separate direction. 
Officers found the Swift abandoned near Miracle Close, Blue Hills, shortly after.
Based on investigations, no injuries were reported.
This remains an active investigation.
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information or CCTV footage of the shooting that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.
Additionally, persons are being asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.
Media Release
July 15th, 2024.
SHAIWANZO MISSICK of South Back Salina, Grand Turk, has been charged with six counts of firearm-related offences.
Missick, 30, was charged on July 13 after police officers consulted with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The offences against Missick are:
- One Count – Discharging Firearm
- One Count- Discharging Ammunition
- One Count-Possession of Firearm with intent to commit a serious offence
- Two Counts-Possession of Ammunition
- One Count –Possession of Firearm
- One Count-Possession of Controlled Drugs
- One Count- Possession of Controlled Drugs with intent to supply.
The charges against Missick came following a report made on Saturday, 29 June 2024, following a shooting incident in Breezy Brae.
Officers obtained a warrant and searched the accused’s residence based on the information received.
The RT&CIPF is asking the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app from the Google Play Store or Apple Apps and share information anonymously.
-
Caribbean News7 days agoCayman Relief Mission to Hurricane hit CARICOM nations
-
Caribbean News7 days agoCARICOM raising profile and priority of its Migration Policy; curbing challenges ‘a tall order’
-
Caribbean News1 week agoHurricane Help; Money donated to Jamaica, Barbados, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia and Grenada
-
Caribbean News7 days agoJamaica’s Hurricane Recovery Efforts Bolstered by Donation from Cayman Islands
-
Bahamas News7 days agoPrime Minister Davis: Cannabis Reform Compendium 2024 ‘a long time coming’
-
News7 days agoWhat the new UK Prime Minister had to say about the Rwanda Deportation Plan at his first press conference
-
Bahamas News1 week agoBahamas Celebrates 51st Independence – ‘United In Love & Service’
-
News7 days agoTurks & Caicos’ E.J Saunders part of Election Observer team in UK on July 4