The mud pile along the Nismes Public Road, which is being blamed for the accident on Monday evening that claimed the life of a minibus conductor, has been cleared.
Jerry Waldron, 30, of Goed Intent Village, West Bank Demerara died almost immediately after the bus, which was carrying passengers, reportedly collided with the mud pile, which was left on the side of the road and toppled several times.
Eleven others, including the driver, sustained minor injuries in the accident.
Witnesses said the mud pile was left there late Monday evening after the completion of works to clear a drain in the vicinity of the Nismes Branch of the Gafoors’ Shopping Complex.
When Stabroek News visited the scene of the accident on Wednesday, the section of road that was once covered by the mud pile had been cleared. The mud was heaped in a corner, a safe distance away from the already narrow road.
A visit to the Bagotville/Nismes Neighbourhood Democratic Council revealed that no permission was given by the NDC for the digging of drains in the area.
At the Nismes Shopping Complex, Stabroek News was directed to speak with Chief of Security of the branch since he has responsibility for tasks such as the clearing of drains.
When approached for a comment, the man, who withheld his name, told this newspaper that he could not comment on the claims.
Meanwhile, the branch supervisor explained that the police were yet to contact the company to discuss the claims.
The supervisor said that until such an engagement is done, the company cannot comment on the matter.
One of the injured minibus passengers told Stabroek News that the mud as well as the driver possibly being blinded by the high beam from a vehicle that was travelling in the opposite direction may have both contributed to the accident.
However, an older sister of Waldron believes that the driver of the minibus should have exercised more caution on the road. This, she said, could have possibly prevented the accident that claimed her brother’s life.
“We are here trying to hold up. I can’t really say for sure what happened because people saying all kind of things but I don’t believe that the mud pile was solely responsible for the accident. I think the driver should have been more cautious man,” the woman lamented.
Waldron, the last of 10 children, would have celebrated his 31st birthday, in November.
