An accident on the Corentyne Highway, Berbice early yesterday morning has left several people injured and two vehicles seriously damaged.
According to reports, a Route 63A minibus and a private car PLL3363 collided at Chesney around 6 am.
Shellan Alexander, who resides at Rose Hall and was travelling in the minibus along with her nine-year-old daughter, recounted that the car swung out from a corner as the bus approached Albion, and was proceeding east in front of the minibus.
She said the minibus driver then attempted to overtake the car, but the car driver diverted and ended up in its path. According to her, the minibus driver could not avoid the collision.
“It happened really fast because the minibus driver tried to overtake when suddenly the car swing in front of him and that was it…they crashed and it was just horrible,” Alexander said.
She said the minibus and the car both came to a halt after crashing into a nearby pole.
Alexander recalled that at least two persons were thrown from the bus upon impact. Rescuers later pulled Alexander and her daughter from the bus through the window from the back of the vehicle.
The woman added that many persons received injuries. She suffered injuries to her leg, while her daughter had minor injuries. They were treated at the New Amsterdam Hospital and sent away.
Alexander was thankful that she and her child escaped unharmed, but pointed out that her daughter was traumatised by the incident.
Meanwhile, according to Su (only name given), Proprietor of S & J General Store, at Chesney Front, he and his family were awakened around 6 am by a “loud bang”.
He told Stabroek News that when he got outside he saw the 63A minibus and a private car PLL3363 on the “railed parapet in front there (pointing to the accident site)”.
Sue said the driver of the car seemed to be in shock as on seeing him, he asked, “‘wha happen man?’, like if he nah know what happen.”
According to Su, the driver of the minibus told him that he was heading east to Skeldon when the car which was in front of him, turned suddenly upon seeing two people standing at the side of the road. He said he tried desperately to avoid hitting the car but the driver continued to turn in his path.
Su said three people seemed to have been injured in the accident along with the two drivers.
The driver of the car was held for questioning after being treated at the New Amsterdam Hospital.