A mechanic succumbed on Tuesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after he was involved in an accident at Rose Hall Town on Monday evening.
Dead is Abdul Naffi Francis, 25, father of one, of Maycock Street, Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice.
Stabroek News understands, Francis was riding his Honda CG motorcycle bearing registration number CE 7435, on the JC Chandisingh access road when he hit an illegal speedbump and was tossed off. He landed approximately 75 feet away.
According to reports, the man was proceeding south on the road, when he was caught off guard by the speedbump and could not stop in time to avoid it. The speedbump is said to be over 12 inches high.
Neighbours said they heard a crashing sound around 9.30 pm on Monday and later found Francis lying in the centre of the public road groaning. The motorcycle was in the corner of the drain.
They alerted the man’s family and rushed him to the Port Mourant Hospital, from where he was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam and later the Georgetown facilities.
His mother Shirley Singh said someone had called her and asked “if I get the message already and I said no and they said my son reach up with accident at ‘Chandie’ dam”.
Francis sustained severe injuries such as a fractured neck, broken spine, brain injuries and multiple cuts and bruises.
Stabroek News was told by the family, that the doctors confirmed to them that Francis had no evidence of alcohol in his body.
Meanwhile, his angry friends and residents of the town visited the scene and uttered their concerns over the illegal speedbumps.
Two speedbumps were erected approximately six weeks ago after businessman Orin Dowell was informed by Town Clerk Mellissa Punch to repair the road with immediate effect.
Approximately one year ago, Dowell, who operates a bar, had dug drain-like cuts across the public road to slow the heavy traffic going by. He had opined in the past that the drivers drove at a fast rate which resulted in his premises being dusty.
Dowell had also blocked both sides of the government reserve with broken bottles, dried bushes, coconut tree bark, concrete pillars and other solid objects.
According to Punch, on one occasion the council’s garbage collectors removed the items. She said this angered the businessman. He had argued with the council that the road falls under management of the Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council and not the town’s.
Dowell had also placed signs on lampposts next to his property indicating that traffic should proceed at the speed of 15 kilometres per mile.
A letter addressed to Dowell which Stabroek News saw stated that on December 17, 2014, a decision was made during a statutory meeting for him to repair the damaged portions of the road.
A contractor told Stabroek News that speedbumps should start at the beginning of the road, be 200 metres apart and wide but not high. Dowell’s do not meet any of these specifications and are also not accessorised with reflective lights or paint.
The death of the young man has raised calls by concerned residents to have authorities remove the speed bumps. Some residents also blazed the town council for its lack of alacrity in the matter. They said they had made several reports to the town council but no attention was given to the issue.
The Town Clerk had admitted that she has never visited the site where the speedbumps are.
Residents are calling on the police to conduct a proper investigation.
The deceased was described as a humble individual, who was hardworking and dedicated. He is survived by his mother, wife and child.
