While others were ushering in Guyana’s Golden Jubilee at D’Urban Park last evening, Alieka Davis was mourning the loss of her son, who died after being hit by a truck that was transporting steel pans at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School.
Kevon Scipio, a third form student of the Richard Ishmael Secon-dary School and member of the Pan Wave Steel Orchestra, one of the groups scheduled to play at the flag raising ceremony, had not long before left rehearsals at the D’Urban Park when tragedy struck.
According to reports confirmed by the boy’s mother, the 14-year-old bass player was attempting to climb into the tray of the Canter truck to join two of his friends when he fell to the ground.
Upon seeing this, the boys attempted to signal the driver to stop the truck by hitting on the roof of the vehicle, however, this was reportedly misinterpreted by the driver who proceeded to reverse the Canter, driving over Scipio in the process.
The young pannist was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
When Stabroek News visited the teen’s residence at Railway Line, Kitty, grieving relatives were gathered at the front of the yard, while Scipio’s mother sat inside the house surrounded by other relatives as she struggled to come to grips with the sudden death of her only child.
Davis related that she was still at work when she got a call around 10 pm from her son’s steel pan instructor telling her of the accident.
Struggling to fight back tears, Davis recounted how excited her son had been to be performing at the ceremony.
“I never had a problem with Kevon, he always wore a smile on his face and was always polite to everybody, I couldn’t have asked for a better son,” the mother lamented.
The Pan Waves instructor described Scipio as a very devoted and enthusiastic player who had been with the band for a little over a year.
He further stated that while the other members are saddened by their colleague’s death, they will try to keep moving forward; at that time, they had also expressed plans to do a tribute to Scipio at the ceremony.
Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Junior Minister Nicolette Henry visited the dead child’s mother and have since offered their full support in covering the funeral expenses.
Additionally, the Minis-try of the Presidency issued a statement extending condolences to the family during their time of grief.
It read, “Even as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are being conducted, the Government of Guyana expresses deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the family of Kevin Scipio. The Presi-dent, Government and all Guyanese mourn his passing, which comes at a time when the nation is celebrating our 50th Indepen-dence Anniversary.”
According to the statement, steps would also be taken to make available counselling, through the Ministry of Social Protec-tion for members of the band and the family of Scipio.
