A pedestrian is now dead after falling under a moving garbage truck.
The dead woman has been identified as 65-year-old Yvonne Morrison, of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown.
The accident occurred yesterday at about 11:30 am in a street in ‘B’ Field, Sophia.
Enquiries revealed that the driver involved in the accident was Tulsiedas Surgrim, 45. Surgrim was employed as a driver at Puran Brothers Trucking and Disposal Services.
According to a statement by the Guyana Police Force, Morrison was walking west, in front of the garbage truck which was heading in the same direction.
The driver stated that while he was proceeding along the road, he sounded the truck’s horn and the woman stopped and allowed him to pass.
However, as the truck was moving forward, Surgrim further stated that the woman allegedly lost her balance and fell onto the road surface and under the moving garbage truck, which resulted in the left rear wheel pinning her.
The porters on the truck immediately signalled to Surgrim to stop which helped prevent Morrison from being crushed by the rear wheel.
The woman was picked up in a semi-conscious condition by the driver and porters and rushed by car to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The police said that at about 14:30hrs, the woman succumbed while receiving treatment.
Her body was then escorted to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary where it currently awaits a post-mortem examination.
A Breathalyzer test was later conducted on the driver of truck but no trace of alcohol was found.
It was said that the scene was visited by the police and statements and measurements were taken. The area was also checked for witnesses and one person came forward. It was also noted that CCTV footage will be obtained from a nearby resident.
Surgrim is currently in police custody and a notice of intended prosecution has since been served on him.
The vehicle was examined by a Licensing and Certifying Officer and impounded.