Three men were killed and two others injured when the lumber truck they were travelling in toppled down a hill before coming to rest in a ravine at Papaya Turn called ‘Hill Seven’ at Matthew’s Ridge North West District on Sunday afternoon.
Reports reaching Stabroek News are that father and son Fabian and Trevor Abrams of Matthew’s Ridge and Deon Baptiste of Port Kaituma were pinned by pieces of lumber which had fallen on them. They died before rescuers could reach them. A young man identified only as `O’Neil’ of Moruca and another man whose identity this newspaper was unable to ascertain sustained wounds to various parts of their bodies.
The truck driver Godfrey Austin of Arakaka also in the North West District escaped unhurt and is in police custody assisting with investigations.
Up to late yesterday afternoon efforts were being made to transport ‘O’Neil’ to the city for further medical attention.
While the circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, this newspaper was told that around 5 am the group was heading out of the backdam area and as the vehicle got to a turn on the hill, the driver lost control. The vehicle then toppled several times resulting in the Abramses and Baptiste being pitched several feet into the air.
This newspaper was told that a hymac had to be used to free the trapped men. Reports are that the five injured men were picked up and rushed to the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital where the Abramses duo and Baptiste were pronounced dead on arrival. `O’Neil’ was admitted while the unidentified man was treated and sent away.
A resident told this newspaper that the driver sustained a gash to his forehead. According to the resident this is the first time that there had been an accident of this magnitude on that hill. This newspaper was told that Baptiste, who was a bulldozer operator, had begged the driver for a lift out of the backdam.
