Tragedy continues to strike the heart of Consolidated Foods Limited. In the early hours of Sunday morning, employees Anel Cheddy, 28, and Lenson Skelly, 30, had their lives cut short when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a head on collision along the Dennery/Richfond highway. Also killed in the crash was 30-year-old Jeremy Thomas of Cedar Heights, Vieux-Fort. Two others were injured in the carnage.
The two CFL workers were employed as a driver and mechanic, respectively, while Thomas was a rising sales agent at Pan American Life Insurance Company. Sadly, this is the fourth death in the past two months for the CFL family.
Earlier this year friends and family of Ronnie Walters were devastated when his decomposing body was found near the Babonneau Playing Field. The 20-year-old Cabiche resident had been missing for eleven days prior to the gruesome discovery. He had been a push-out at Super J Waterfront for the past three years.
The company was dealt another crushing blow last week when Security Head Julian Agard was electrocuted at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds during a Limacol Caribbean Premier League match. Agard had been an avid sportsman, particularly beloved in the basketball community, a fact that prompted the St Lucia Basketball Federation to pay him tribute.
“Coach Agard for many years has been a true ambassador to the sport of basketball, both as a player and coach, and will truly be missed for his selflessness and invaluable support he has given to the sport both on and off the
court.”
Deputy Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre also extended his condolences and paid a visit to the deceased’s mother. A CFL representative chose not to comment at this time.
According to a source: “It was a personal tragedy on each end so we didn’t want to risk being seen by the public as though we were seeking to profit from the opportunity for publicity.”
However all efforts are being made to ensure that employees are given a proper avenue for grieving during this trying period.
Said our source: “I mean obviously it’s a little bit sad right now but we have a counselor on hire on a regular basis. So if any employee has any kind of difficulty they have access to a counselor at any time.”
Said a regular employee who preferred to remain anonymous: “This has been a crazy time for us. And it’s because we really do have a family type atmosphere here. When one of us falls, we all feel it. I mean what happened to that poor young man from Waterfront was really hard for us and then, to top it, Mr Agard.
But it is really hitting home for me with these two, especially Skelly. He was such a cool guy. He will truly be missed. It really is true that you really have to appreciate people while they are on earth . . . because you never know.”
