Police are investigating a gruesome accident that occurred at around 9:30 hrs today on the Greenwich Park Public Road, East Bank Essequibo, which claimed the lives of four persons – a minibus driver and three passengers.
A release from the police said that the accident involved minibus BWW 8364, driven by Vernon Prowell (now deceased), a 50-year-old of Bent St Wortmanville, Georgetown, and motor lorry GZZ 2285, driven by Ewart Stewart, a 38-year-old Stewartville, West Coast Demerara.
Enquiries disclosed that motor lorry GZZ 2285 was proceeding East along the Northern side of Greenwich Park Public Road at a fast rate approaching a Pedestrian Crossing, while minibus BWW 8364 was proceeding in the opposite direction.
The police said that the lorry driver claims that a black motorcar (HD 1708) was proceeding in front of him in the said direction and made a sudden stop at the Pedestrian Crossing. On seeing this, the lorry driver said he applied brakes and swerved right to avoid colliding with the motorcar (HD 1708) in front of him. In the process, the lorry collided with the right-side front portion of minibus BWW 8364, which was proceeding in the opposite direction.
As a result of the impact, passengers in the minibus, namely: Margaret Kennedy, a 72-year-old female of Tuschen; Olga Reddy, a 57-year-old female of Parika; and Elvis Charles, a 40-year-old male of Ruby, E.B.E, sustained injuries and were escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where they all died while receiving medical treatment.
The minibus driver Vernon Prowell, and passengers Stella Parhoo, a 73-year-old female of Parika, and Severn Austin, a 44-year-old male of Den Amstel, were seen and examined by Dr. Outar and transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital for further treatment. The minibus driver, Vernon Prowell, was later transferred to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.
Shemar Alleyne, a 21-year-old of Tuschen; Selmont Brisport, a 64-year-old of Tuschen; Samuel Ramdas, a 46-year-old male of Ruby Backdam, and Junior Jack, a 25-year-old male of Tuschen were seen and examined by Dr Outar who later admitted them as patients at the Leonora Cottage Hospital. They were all occupants of minibus BWW 8364.
A breath analysis was conducted on the lorry driver, with the result of .00%.
The four bodies are presently lying at Ezekel Funeral Parlour, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
