Two more victims of the fatal accident at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara Public Road on Wednesday evening were yesterday identified.
Police confirmed that Latoya Jones, 32, of South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, and Leknarine Lall Seupaul, 40, of Lot 119 Da Silva Street, Newtown, Kitty died along with Lindon Pryce, 55, of South Vryheid’s Lust, and Brian Christopher Bradshaw, 36, an engineer of 106 Laluni Street, Queenstown, Georgetown in the accident, which occurred when the car they were all travelling in collided with a Canter truck.
Juliet Samaroo-Seupaul, the widow of Seupaul, was still in shock when contacted by Stabroek News. “I can’t even believe it is true,” she said.
She noted that her late husband was on his way home when he met his demise. She said it was the norm for members of the engineering team to drop fellow workers home after work.
Seupaul was described as a good father, a friendly person and very family-oriented man.
He had been employed with Transport and Harbours Department as a marine engineer for over 20 years, the woman said.
Latoya Jones’ sister, Jessica, told this newspaper that after her sister had been picked up by a friend and they were on their way to drop off a friend when the accident occurred.
Jones was the eldest of six siblings, and described as a friendly person, who held no malice against anyone.” If you and she ain’t talk today, tomorrow you and she got to talk ’cause she ain’t kay how much problem, she didn’t hold malice,” the younger sister related.
The accident occurred around 5.55 pm when the car, PRR 2569, driven by Bradshaw, collided with a Canter, GJJ 7150, driven by Eshan Simon.
Three of the victims died on the spot while the fourth succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Police Commander of Region 4C Khali Pareshram told Stabroek News on Wednesday that investigations revealed that the car, PRR 2569, was proceeding west along the northern lane of the southern carriageway of the road, at a fast rate of speed and while negotiating a turn, Bradshaw lost control of the car.
As a result, Pareshram said Bradshaw collided with the median and ended up on the northern carriageway, in the path of canter truck, GLL 7150.
Members of the Guyana Fire Service had to be summoned to assist in rescuing some of the victims who were pinned in the vehicles after the accident on Wednesday.
Pryce was an employee of the Transport and Harbours Department. At the time of his death, he was on pre-retirement leave.
His sister, Charis Deen had told Stabroek News that she last saw him on Wednesday afternoon, when he visited his mother.
She said one of Pryce’s brothers tried calling him and an unknown individual answered his cellular phone and told him about the accident. It is unclear where Pryce was heading at the time.
‘Bouncing’
Meanwhile, Terrence Chance, who was seated in the front seat of the Canter, yesterday recalled what he experienced when the accident occurred.
Chance believes the driver of the car was trying to brake as he saw smoke coming from the car.
At that moment, he said he called out to his driver, Simon, while the car was “bouncing coming over the road”.
He said he then placed his hands up, like a boxer would when trying to block blows, and he lifted his feet up as well. After that, he said, everything went dark. When he reopened his eyes, everything was cloudy. He noted that he then looked to his left and saw the car on fire. He called out to his boss [Simon], who groaned.
He said he asked him if he was alright but he was unable to answer. After the fire spread, he decided to push the door open, but was unable to. After fighting with his seat belt for some time, he said he made the decision to jump through the window and he landed on the ground.
He said he wanted to “run” but he was unable to move and it was public-spirited citizens who eventually pulled him away from the area.
Chance, who was treated and sent home on the night of the accident, is currently at home resting.
He suffered injuries to his head and feet and said he was experiencing pains.
Marvin Hardy, another injured occupant of the Canter truck, told this newspaper that he was at the back of the vehicle when the accident occurred.
He recalled the car approaching at a fast pace from the other side of the road and running into the front of the truck.
He was released from the hospital just around 2 am yesterday after receiving treatment for lacerations to his head, arms and leg.
Donette Andrews, the mother of Okacho Josiah, said he was heading out of work when the accident took place.
The father of one had related to family members that he does not remember what took place.
He suffered fractures to both arms along with head injuries.
While he remains warded at the Woodlands Hospital, his condition is considered stable.
The father of Simon had related that his son was still hospitalized and in a lot of pain. However, he was unable to provide any further information.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill yesterday offered his sympathy and condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of the deceased men.
In a brief statement, he said would ensure the management of T&HD and the Ministry by extension “support the families in whatever way possible during this period of grief.”
