By Shuntel Glasgow
Following the horrific head-on collision on the St. Cuthbert’s Mission’s main access road last Saturday evening which claimed the lives of three persons, the three survivors are on the path to recovery.
The survivors are Javez Simon, Evan Simon and Daniel Andrews. The three persons who perished were 63-year-old Olive Andrews, her daughter 29-year-old Athina Andrews and Athina’s 9-year-old daughter, Emma Andrews.
The police said that the accident involved motor car #PXX 4949, owned and driven at the time by Javez Simon, of St Cuthbert’s Mission, and motor car #PAE 5140, driven by Fidell of St Cuthbert’s Mission.
Penelope Dundas, the daughter of Olive Andrews, sister of Athina Andrews and aunt of Emma Andrews told Stabroek News yesterday that while the family is mourning the loss of three members, her 7-year-old nephew Daniel Andrews survived the accident. According to Dundas, on Saturday evening, Olive, Emma, Athina and Daniel were returning to their home in Pakuri/St. Cuthbert’s Mission from church in Georgetown when the car they were travelling in became involved in the accident. Dundas added that after she was notified of the accident, she arrived on the scene one hour later since she lives some three miles away from the village.
Upon her arrival, she found the area crowded with residents gathered around the vehicles. In a moment of relief amidst the chaos, she learnt that Daniel was alive inside one of the cars. A doctor attached to the village’s Health Centre pronounced three persons dead at the scene while Daniel was whisked away to the hospital. Dundas explained that Daniel is still hos-pitalized but recovering. She noted that while he remains under observation, medical professionals, after having conducted several tests, revealed no signs of serious injuries.
Dundas added that the deaths of the three family members were a great loss for the family. “The family lost almost everything there. I feel heartbroken and sad all at once,” Dundas said.
According to Dundas, Athina, her sister was a truck operator who worked in the hinterland regions. However, for the past few months, she had been home with her family. She was the mother of three. Dundas said she shared a close relationship with her sister and described her as loving and caring. Emma, Athina’s daughter and Dundas’ niece, was the eldest child and was a Grade Three pupil of the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Primary School. Olive, mother of Dundas and Athina and grandmother of Emma, was the mother of nine children. A few years ago, she had lost her eldest child. Olive was described as loving and a jovial person. As loved ones grappled with the heartbreaking loss of three individuals who perished in the incident, the community rallied to support both the survivors and those in mourning.
Meanwhile, Andrea Simon, wife of 49-year-old Evan Simon and mother of 25-year-old Javez Simon, in an interview with Stabroek News, said that they were leaving the village when the incident occurred. Evan was visiting his sick grandfather, accompanied by Javez. Unfortunately, the family’s situation worsened when their grandfather passed away yesterday. Andrea said her son related that as they traveled out of the village he was on the left side of the access road, and realized that the incoming vehicle transporting the trio was also in his path. Andrea said that Evan signaled the driver who was some distance away. Despite multiple attempts to alert the approaching driver, he sensed that the vehicle would veer into his lane as they drew nearer.
Unfortunately, the driver’s failure to change course led to a collision. Javez and Evan Simon were rushed to the hospital, where they were both admitted. They were placed under close medical supervision as they dealt with injuries resulting from the incident. In a recent update shared by Andrea, she said that doctors informed her on Monday that Javez and Evan had progressed to being able to eat food again. Andrea noted that both are unable to sit upright due to the severity of their injuries. Evan sustained injuries to the lower parts of body while Javez suffered injuries to his chest. The two remain hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Andrea expressed happiness as her husband and son are alive and praised the doctors for their care. Andrea and Evans lived in St Cuthbert’s Mission for many years and moved temporarily to the East Coast of Demerara to facilitate schooling for their children.
“I am happy that they are alive. I am happy because nobody wants to see a bedridden person. So far everything okay but because they get the hit they can’t move around much. They get bruises and pain.”
Meanwhile, Toshao, Alvoro Simon, announced yesterday that the annual Christmas Village lights and Old Year’s Night Party have been canceled due to the series of tragic events within the community. The community lost a total of five persons in matter of a few days. Simon said a candlelight vigil will be held at the Central Area on Friday for the five residents who died. The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) also extended condolences to the community and the family.
