The driver of the Route 31 minibus that was involved in the more than one-week-old accident at Nismes, West Bank Demerara Public Road, which left four persons dead and several others injured, has been released on station bail as the police continue their investigation.
Traffic Chief Linden Isles told Stabroek News yesterday that the police are yet to obtain statements from some victims and witnesses. Isles explained that there has been a delay in the investigation since three of the victims are still hospitalised and are not in any condition to provide the statements.
He said that once the statements are taken, the case file will be dispatched for legal advice, which will determine the way forward in the matter.
The accident occurred around 8 pm on November 30th, following a collision between minibus BYY 2981 and a car, PTT 691, in the vicinity of a gas station along the Nismes Public Road. At least 20 persons were involved in the accident.
The collision resulted in the deaths of the driver of the car, Paul Glen, 52, and minibus passengers Ayesha Sealey, 28, Maria Bisnauth, 12, and Zavira Jona, 22.
Glen’s car was hit by the speeding Route 31 (Georgetown to Wales) minibus a few seconds after exiting a gas station.
Witnesses related similar accounts to this newspaper.
One said, “The car was coming out from the gas station and the bus just crash up into it.”
Following the accident, surveillance camera footage which had surfaced confirmed that the minibus was speeding.
CCTV footage taken from cameras at the gas station shows the car being driven onto the main road. Seconds after the car attempted to turn onto the eastern lane of the road, the speeding bus collided with it, causing both vehicles to turn turtle and land in a nearby drain.
A little girl immediately emerged from the wreckage and appeared to not be badly injured. However, this newspaper has learned that the child, who is said to be seven years old, suffered a broken arm along with other injuries.
