One of the Bourda Market vendors killed in the Success, East Coast Demerara crash, was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Fifty-eight-year-old Denise Culley, of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, was making her way to Georgetown on March 3, at around 7:30 am, in minibus BTT 4910. The bus was said to have been travelling at a fast rate, west along the East Coast highway, at a section that’s currently under construction. Culley, who was seated at the left side of the bus’ rear seat, was flung out of the bus and onto the roadway.
When Stabroek News made a visit to the family’s home on Wednesday, Culley’s relatives were preparing to make their way to her funeral service. The relatives at that time had no words to explain their feelings. Over at Jerrick’s Funeral Home, a viewing service had already started and relatives and friends had started coming into the funeral home.
Culley’s cousin, who was identified as Aunty Bridgette, stated that they grew up together and shared a bond as close as sisters. “We share one another’s burdens, we share one another’s love. We had good moments, good days,” Aunty Bridgette said.
Bridgette described Culley as a very caring individual, who would go out of her way to make persons around her comfortable. “She’s very helpful, if anybody’s sick she doesn’t even have to know the person, she would help,” she said.
The unexpected and gruesome death shook the family. When Culley’s children and other family members were informed of the death, they were inconsolable, her cousin said.
“Her children crying, they’re weeping all the time; the entire family is affected,” she stated. Bridgette shared how it felt when she found out about the death. “She’s a person who is very caring, at times her mouth is very saucy but I didn’t expect a death like that. I know you have to prepare for a death any time but a death like that really, really touch me. I feel it in the depths of my heart,” she added.
“The day when I went to the spot, I actually get blind,” Bridgette said. On that day, and even after, the family has heard conflicting reports of how the accident occurred. However, they still remain hopeful that the truth will come out and justice will be meted out to the person responsible for the accident.
One other person involved in the accident died while receiving medical treatment, while several other passengers were hospitalised for injuries.
Jordon Beaton, 17, lost three fingers from his left hand as a result of the accident. The teen’s sister, Sasha Beaton, told Stabroek News that her brother is recovering well and has been released from the hospital. Beaton added that he should be fully recovered within the next six weeks.
Denzil Clarke, 47, was charged in relation to the accident, with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. Clarke, who was not required to plead to the indictable charges, was subsequently remanded to prison.
