A former national basketball player was killed while a popular biker was injured yesterday afternoon in a horrific motorcycle crash on a highway in district of Nickerie, in neighbouring Suriname.
Dead is Customs Enforcement Officer and basketball player Damian Liverpool, 33, of Shirley Field Ridley Square, in Georgetown, who died on the spot. Local superbike champion Stephen Vieira, meanwhile, sustained lacerations to his face, a broken phalange and minor bruises to his body in the accident and he is currently being treated at a hospital in the Dutch-speaking country.
According to reports from one of the riders in Suriname, the duo was among a group of local bikers who were on a cross country ride from these shores to participate in a bike show there. The accident occurred sometime after 2PM yesterday afternoon as they simultaneously crashed into a tractor trailer that was making a U-Turn on a highway in Suriname. It is reported that the two were leading the pack when the accident occurred. They were then rushed to the Streekziekenhuis Nickerie District Hospital, where Liverpool was pronounced dead while Vieira was treated for his injuries.
Due to the impact of the crash, Liverpool’s protective helmet was of no use as it was crushed into pieces while his motorcycle was mangled.
A close relative of the former St. Roses High School student told Stabroek News last evening that they had received word of Liverpool’s demise late yesterday afternoon and were awaiting confirmed reports before notifying family and friends. However, their worst fears were later last night confirmed, leaving family members distraught.
Darcel Harris, a very close friend of the former Raven’s Basketball club player, said that he was always full of life and very passionate about basketball. However, Liverpool later took up biking and equally dedicated his time to his favourite two past times, he added.
When contacted, Vieira’s uncle, Wayne, who is also his guardian since his parents are out of the country, informed that preparations were underway to have the young man flown home tomorrow. He said he had first received word that his nephew was in a critical state but that was dispelled when the biker spoke to him. At press time his medical condition was listed as stable.
