‘A knife could not cut as deep’: Family mourns man killed in industrial accident

Family and friends are trying to come to grips with the unfortunate demise of 42-year-old Tony Scriven whose body was found crushed under a portable water storage tank on Sweetings Cay, on Sunday.

In her reflection of the beloved Water and Sewage manager who operated in Abaco, Aunt Pynki Scriven lamented, “The pain you may not see. But, oh my Lord, a knife could not cut me as deep.”

Scriven was managing the desalination plant on the island when tanks sitting on an elevated concrete platform, fell on him. In a graphic image, his body is shown pressed under the weight of the tank, and his face is buried in the earth beneath him.

Bahamas Water and Sewage Corporation soon issued a statement acknowledging the tragic accident and reported having visited the site along with Scriven’s father, Tony Sr.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn his loss,” stating that staff, the police and emergency services came to his aid quickly when the incident occurred.

Tony Sr, a lawyer by profession, has not publicly commented on the accident but only posted childhood pictures of his son along with his twin brother, to his social media page. Other pictures show the father praying with WSC workers after he visited the site of the accident.

The Water and Sewage Management Union said Scriven was killed in the prime of his life.

“It is hard to accept the death of one so dear to us…We were saddened to learn of Tony’s sudden and tragic passing in the line of duty…The grief and pain seem so unbearable.”

Just days before the tragedy, while speaking to ZNS Northern Service, Scriven Jr excitedly pointed at the tanks, emphasizing the purpose of the tanks’ installation which he said were installed to build storage capacity for the distribution network.

On Monday, the corporation closed its Abaco branch to “recognize the impact he had on us all.”

North Eleuthera MP and chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Sylvanus Petty posted, “Rest in peace colleague.”

Scriven leaves behind a wife and three children.

Featured Image: Tony Scriven Jr is shown with his wife and children.