Five persons died in a horrific smash-up involving a car and a pick-up on the Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara public road last night,
Dead are brothers 20-year-old Jason and 17-year-old Julian Martin, 19-year-old Colin Fredericks of Plaisance, 16-year-old Ezra Ferguson, and 25-year-old Royston Dempster of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. The friends had gone to a creek on the highway for the afternoon and were returning home when the accident occurred around 8 pm.
Three pedestrians were also involved in the accident and 10-year-old Priya Ali sustained several broken bones and is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH)
According to reports, the accident occurred at the turn at the Land of Canaan public road. The vehicle, PLL 328, that the five friends were in was heading towards the city and reportedly swerved to avoid the Ali and collided with the pick-up, GJJ 2909. The car was badly crushed.
Ali and her aunt, Nazeena Ali with her husband, Himnauth Agard were heading southwards on the right hand side of the road when the incident occurred. A shaken Nazeena told Stabroek News at the hospital, where she was awaiting treatment that they were heading home when the speeding car came around the turn. She said that it appeared to be swerving and they attempted to get away but it came too quickly. “This car just carry she (Priya) away and pitch me away”, she stated. She landed in a ditch and after recovering began looking for her niece. Agard said that he attempted to hold on to them but they were flung away. Priya was in an unconscious state but was said to be in a stable condition. Following the collision, all but Jason, the driver, were said to have been flung out of the car. It is not clear if any occupants of the pick-up were injured. Another vehicle was also involved but not in a significant way.
Large groups of relatives descended upon the GPH last evening seeking to find out if their relatives were among the dead. Screams erupted and there was loud sobbing as the relatives of some were confirmed dead.
At the Martin’s home, their grandmother, attorney-at-law, Gwendolyn Bristol was inconsolable. The first day of the Bristols’ family reunion had been held at the gymnasium on Mandela Avenue earlier yesterday and Jason had attended. The grieving woman sobbed loudly and repeatedly asked “why”. Jason had been driving his mother, Yulanda Weekes’ car. Their father, Gregory Martin, is in the United States. Bristol told Stabroek News that Jason was a mechanic and Julian was a Third Former at the Apex Academy. She said that every day she read the newspapers to them noting the crimes and accidents and warning them to be careful.
At the Fredericks’ home relatives cried and spoke about him. Neighbours were shocked at the news and wondered how other relatives would take the news that he was dead.
Nicole Ferguson, the mother of 16-year-old Ezra, a Third form student of the Cummings Lodge Secondary said that whenever he went out she kept tabs on him by calling his phone but yesterday afternoon only got his voicemail. Later in the evening, she called again and a strange voice told her to go to the hospital, where she learnt of the younger of her two sons’ death. She said that he had left the home just after mid-day yesterday and had told her that he was going to the creek.
Niki Abrams, the reputed wife of Dempster was heading to the GPH last evening, having heard about the accident and because the father of her two-year-old son, Colin had not yet returned home after leaving with the Martins, who had come to call him earlier yesterday morning. Her worst fears were confirmed upon checking at the police outpost there. Sobbing and asking why she questioned what her son was going to do without his father.
At each home, relatives turned up and many persons expressed shock at the horrific incident.
I think the time has got to come for people to earn, not buy their licences.
This may or may not have been the case, but it is common knowledge that the car licence trade is flourishing in Guyana.
This is so sad, it pains me just to look upon these youths.
It’s not just the authorities that have to do something here, each citizen should play whatever part they can, as such tragedies do not discriminate. Look at the Ali family for instance, they were innocent pedestrians here (they were truly fortunate to survive this ordeal).
It does not take much to imagine that transpired before the crash……………………. an afternoon at the beach, apparently a “few” drinks, followed by a “need for speed” to impress the occupants of the car.
Drivers ought to realise that drinking and driving is extremely suicidal, and the authorities need to introduce deterrents such as breathalysers, couples with some really hefty fines for violators.
My sincere condolences to the families.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IN GUYANA THEY DON’T WEAR SEAT BELTS AND THAT SPOT AND ONE IN SUPPLY ARE THE MOST DEADLY ON THE E.B.DEMERARA.
R.I.P YOUNG SONS OF GUYANA.
this is so sad to hear about with gratiude i send out condolences to all the families may you find the strength to cope .
It is so sad that we have to go through this year after year. If there is any event at the creek or any where else more traffic police should be on the road so they can control the traffic situation. When you are on the highway here in the US and you see a cop you better be doing the speed limit. No one wants to pass the po po if he is in front of you. We need some of that or the road carnage will never stop. You have to be very observant and drive for you and the other drivers. I was very happy when the started to measure out stiff traffic penalties. It seems as though nothing last. My condolences goes out to the family.
What really irks me is that time after time, people sit in the back and /or alongside a driver and allow him to drive them to their death. The Police and the Authorities cannot be everwhere. We have got to learn to police ourselves.
amen
The police should be every where that is there job to protect. I agree we have to do our part. It seems as though hardly any one wants to be a police officer. There is a shortage. People in Guyana are hardheaded. The enjoy breaking the law and that is why they suffer serious consequences.
In light of all the above comments, I do not disagree with them but at the same time, have u ever seen how most people walk on our streets in Guyana?
The police need to be more serious with those who walk the streets, I am speaking from experience.
My condolence to the family of the deceased, May God grant you the strength to cope with this.
While many drivers drink and drive thus contributing to lots of the accidents on our roads, I also believe the police are helping in a great way by taking bribes to issue licences to those who are willing to pay the price. This needs to be looked into urgently by the authorities.
If licences can be bought, then there will always be increase in accidents on our roads.
Rest in peace young ones
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Speed bumps and traffic lights will help.
It is not wise to put speed bumps on a main road or highway. They will slow down emergency vehicles.
Have you ever seen a speed bump on a free way?Awareness and common sense must prevail.
NEW TRAFFIC LAWS SHOULD BE TABLED IN PARLIMENT,,,STIFFER PENALTIES FOR DRINK DRIVERS,UNLICENCED DRIVERS, CARELESS DRIVERS ETC…MORE TRAFFIC COPS ON THE ROAD…ANY IRREGULARITIES, UNDERHAND BUSINESS BY TRAFFIC COPS SHOULD BE DEALTH WITH IN THE STRICKEST POSSIBLE MANNER….ANY MOTORIST FOUND VIOLATING THE LAWS OF THE ROAD SHOULD BE DISCIPLINED,SUSPENDED OR BANNED FROM DRIVING ON THE ROAD ……….