The conductor of the Route 32 (Georgetown-Parika) bus that went up in flames last Thursday is a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he is nursing burns to his arms and abdomen.
The injured man, Carlton Alfred, 43, of Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, told this newspaper that when the accident occurred, they had just left a gas station and were about to make their way to Georgetown.
“When we went to the gas station and he [the pump attendant] open de gas tank, some ah de gas pelt out and duh never happen. Like when he open de cork, meen know if ah de air or wah mek it pelt out,” he recounted.
According to Alfred, the bus was only occupied by five persons and the driver was going at a fast rate.
He said the driver overtook a car and was then alerted about a fire in the minibus by one of the passengers, and the man glanced to the back of the minibus. He believes that the driver lost control of the vehicle after seeing the fire, and
subsequently slammed into the utility pole.
Alfred added that he sustained his injuries after he attempted to rescue an elderly woman who was in the bus.
The driver and two others were also taken to the hospital. They were however, treated for their minor injuries and discharged from the hospital on Thursday.
Previous reports indicate that 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 subsequently burst into flames.
