-Edghill urges operators of stuck vehicles to reach out for help
The post-mortem examinations performed on the three persons found in a mini-bus at 28 Miles, Mabura Trail last Saturday concluded that all three died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The police identified the three as Leon Achee, a 42-year-old bus driver, of Lot 245 Sixth Street, Martyr’s Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara; Reva Bovell, a 24-year-old unemployed female of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden and Vincent Albert Fausett, a 44-year-old operator of 40 Plantation Ross, West Coast Berbice.
A police release on Sunday stated that the scene was visited by Commander of Region Ten, Guy Nurse, along with a party of police. “Upon inspection, the minibus appeared to be stuck in a deep pothole with the rear of the vehicle submerged. The vehicle’s engine was on, and all windows were locked. It is suspected that the victims had slept in the bus the entire night,” the police report said. It is believed that the bus’s air conditioning was on while they slept, which may have allowed carbon monoxide from the exhaust to seep back into the bus.
The state of the trail has led to criticisms.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill yesterday expressed condolences to the families of the three individuals who lost their lives.
He said: “It is my understanding that the vehicle transporting the individuals became lodged along the way, thus its occupants remained on the inside throughout the night, and while taking respite, passed away in their sleep. While the investigations are ongoing by the police to determine the cause of death, I ask that the members of the public practice the principle of the responsible sharing of information.”
He added that, “As the public has been informed previously, there are ongoing works along the Linden-Mabura Hill Road; the Ministry of Public Works has been working assiduously to upgrade these main carriageways to improve connectivity and safety. In areas where there are heavy works ongoing, the Ministry of Public Works has instructed, and is working with the project contractors, to pay keen attention to maintaining the roads at a standard where road users are able to traverse with fair ease.”
Edghill also said, “As a general rule, we encourage road users to practice safety. Especially during this period of inclement weather, we urge those traversing these areas to take all necessary precautions to ensure safe passage, even as we work to alleviate some of the issues being faced as a result of waterlogging. Should any vehicles become stuck along the way, we encourage you to reach out for assistance rather than remaining on the trail. Let us all work together to ensure the safety of each other. May all the hearts of those who mourn at this time be comforted.”
Achee was a father to two boys, while Bovell was a mother of one son.
