PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – A school teacher died after she fell more than 100 feet down a cliff in San Fernando, during a Carnival party on Saturday night, fire officials have confirmed.
“The initial fall would have been between 80-100 feet and then she would have rolled down a further 25 to 30 feet. She had a very bad fall,” Acting Chief Fire Officer Andy Hutchinson, said following the death of Renee Mitchell at San Fernando Hill.
Police have since launched an investigation into the death of Mitchell, 39, a special education teacher at the Brighton AC Primary School, who was at the party with her boyfriend, Peter Ribero, when the tragedy occurred close to midnight.
Media reports said that the two had walked away from the central area of the fete, which was lined with tents and portable toilets, and went to a hedge at the edge of the cliff to urinate. She reportedly lost her balance and fell over the cliff that had been lined with multiple signs indicating, “Danger. Unstable cliff. Keep off.”
Her body was retrieved early Sunday morning.
San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris in expressing his condolences, appealed to patrons to exercise caution during the Carnival celebrations, while appealed to people to be careful as he sent condolences to Mitchell’s family and friends.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, which has oversight of the San Fernando Hill, said it had initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and ensuring the public’s safety in using the venue.
“Our Forestry Division is actively cooperating with investigators. Our immediate concern is the support of Renée’s family, students and colleagues. At the same time, the Forestry Division has been mandated to ensure that the public can safely use the facilities at San Fernando Hill, said Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein.
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