Police have detained the driver of a motor car which was involved in a fatal accident on the Friendship, East Bank Demerara Public Road.
According to reports 42-year-old Bertram Austin, a Customs officer of Timehri died on the spot after being hit by the car.
The incident occurred just after 4 pm yesterday.
Reports are that Austin was standing on the East Bank Public Road just in front of the DIDCO outlet when he was struck by the hire car which was reportedly speeding. Stabroek News was told that Austin was standing on the eastern side of the road and the car was heading towards the city when the incident occurred. Sources said that after being struck by the car Austin was tossed into the air before landing a few yards away where he was picked up. This newspaper understands that as public-spirited citizens and his work colleagues went to his rescue he appeared to be unconscious.
The injured man was immediately rushed to the New Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was subsequently taken to the Lyken Funeral Home where it was positively identified by his two daughters and mother.
Meanwhile figures to date show that there has been a total of 163 accidents for the year, resulting in 200 deaths as compared to 120 accidents for 2006 resulting in 144 deaths.