Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred on Thursday, May 9 at about 05.15 hours on the Orangestein Public Road, East Bank Essequibo, which resulted in the death of 33-year-old Deoraj Baldeo also known as ‘Alex’.
The accident involved a lorry, GVV 9777, driven by Ramgobin Prahalad, 60, of Parika Outfall, East Bank Essequibo, and minibus BSS 7322, driven by the now dead man who resided at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo.
Inquiries revealed that the lorry operated by Prahalad reversed out of a stone depot situated on the northern side of the road and collided with the front of the minibus, which was proceeding west along the same road, allegedly at a fast rate of speed.
As a result of the collision, Baldeo, and the other occupant, Fazal Abrahim, 55, who was in the front passenger seat, were trapped in the vehicle. They were eventually freed by members of the Guyana Fire Service and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where Baldeo was pronounced dead on arrival.
Fazal Abrahim, who sustained head injuries, was later transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital. His condition is regarded as stable.
Baldeo was escorted to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the lorry and showed no trace of alcohol.
Tony Baldeo, brother of the deceased, told the Stabroek News that when the family received the call, his brother had already died. “A friend saw the bus and called us but by the time we got there it was too late.” He declined to comment further as the family is now awaiting further information from the police.
