A Route 32 (Georgetown-Parika) minibus went up in flames yesterday afternoon after a collision with a utility pole at Hague, West Coast Demerara.
According to information received, the bus, which had passengers on board, was proceeding east along the northern carriageway around 1.45 pm when the driver reportedly lost control and hit a utility pole. The bus landed on its side and burst into flames shortly after. Some at the scene indicated that the driver hit a vehicle, lost control and slammed into the utility pole where a live wire fell on the minibus and caused the fire. One man, who asked not to be named, said, “The bus man been driving fast, fast and he lash a car then topple over to the lantern post. People been trying fuh come out de bus then de wire fall on the bus and spark, suh de fire start.”
In a video seen by Stabroek News, the driver of the bus was heard inquiring if anyone died as a result of the accident. The unidentified driver, who was asked by persons around what happened, stated that he went to a gas station earlier. “Me go gas station right and the gas man open the tank and he ah tell me ’bout me gas pitch up,” he related. He added that after he left the gas station, he was driving and saw the fire. In the one minute video clip, the driver did not say what caused the accident.
When Stabroek News visited the scene, the charred remains of the bus were still on the roadway.
According to a witness, vehicles had been parked on each side of the roadway when the incident occurred. The woman, who asked not to be named, stated that she heard when the minibus crashed into the pole and when it toppled and settled on its side.
“Til suh we hear he tumbling. Like, me ain’t know if he overtake or wah and he end in the lantern post and when he slam de post he turn pon he side,” she noted. The woman said her nephew and other public-spirited persons went to the minibus to help the passengers, who were trapped in the vehicle. “Me nephew go and kick the door because people trying but them ain’t getting them out and me nephew kick de door and pull all ah them out,” she added.
Three persons, she said, were taken to the hospital, including an unconscious woman. When contacted yesterday afternoon, Commander of ‘D’ Division Edmond Cooper confirmed that three persons were rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
The fire was eventually extinguished by firefighters from the Leonora Fire Station. A construction worker, who was at the scene, said the firetruck took longer than expected to arrive. “They deh right down deh at Leonora, suh me expect them fuh reach hay in no time but they tek lil long,” he said.
The minibus is the third vehicle to go up in flames within two days. A minibus that was contracted by the Guyana Power and Light caught afire on Sheriff Street on Wednesday morning. A car also caught afire on the same morning on the western carriageway of Avenue of the Republic.
