Comments on: Trucker crushed to death

By: Superman

Superman — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:42:40 +0000

A sad, unfortunate and completely avoidable incident indeed!. My prayers and sympathies go out to both families, especially the Ramratans, whose loss will change their lives for ever. To reiterate a comment posted earlier, I do hope the employers of the victims provide assistance to families in circumstances such as these. I will not be redundant by commenting on the poor infrastructure we see in areas in rapid development nor of the obvious shortcomings that precipitated this most unfortunate incident. However, I will place emphasis on the unity and empathy displayed by the residents and those who were present. Even more than this, i am taken aback by the lack of proper and prompt professional emergency response. The efforts of the residents may have in this occasion saved the life of the survivor but, these very efforts could have unintentionally been his demise.

By: guy123

guy123 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:14:22 +0000

I do not know why people are still surprised to see Indian and African working together,they have always lived and worked together in Guyana,they are like lovers who can’t live without each other,through thick and thin they have held together,regardless of all the negative that have been coming against them over the years,and all the doomsayers that would not shut up,they still have not exploded and divided,KEEP IT UP GUYANA.

By: ankoko

ankoko — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:02:51 +0000

This is very very sad and tragic indeed. My condolences to the family. The dead driver has to share some of the blame for not inspecting the bridge. Don’t cuss me out yet! The “authorities” are responsible for the maintenance of the bridge but he also had a responsibility for the safe operation of his equipment.
We all have a responsibility to ensure that the infrastructures in our neighborhoods are safe to be used. Flood the village leaders and politicians with complaint after complaint until something is done.

By: bishnu R

bishnu R — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:05:00 +0000

it is sad to see/read that a young man lost his life.
it is sad to know that some of you making comments don’t know that no goverment can build/repair all bridges/roads at the same time.
and what is worst is most of you live in the US/canada where bridges and road ways are crumbeling all the time and what is strange is we don’t hear your voices.

STOP BLAMING THE NDC. RDC. AND GOVER.

TOOLSIE PERSAUD MUST BE MADE TO REPLACE THE BRIDGE CHECK THE LAW AND INSURANCE CO.

By: freetorun

freetorun — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:12:37 +0000

how long was the bridge constructed, and when did we see these vehicles in guyana.
they were not design for that size and weight of those vehicles. all of you can sue or complain. sad but was an accident. All new construction will have to design to meet those requirements.
registrations and insurance fees for those trucks must be greater also.

By: wahdap

wahdap — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:09:12 +0000

Sue, sue who rp ???????, da don’t wok in our country big man.

Let us hope that Toolsie use good judgement and take care of
de man wife and kids.

By: freetorun

freetorun — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:05:25 +0000

those bridges were not constructed for that much weight, because we did not have such heavy vehicles.

By: dawning

dawning — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:43:23 +0000

Since this bridge was the sole entry point to the community , i would like to think this not the first time a ready mix truck or any other of similar weight would have used this bridge.

Those in authority are always so much wiser after a fatality or loss of limb.

Sad indeed.

By: mackydog

mackydog — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:37:24 +0000

ink09,
I agree with you, apparently EVERYTHING that people do without thinking is the government fault or the government do it or the government is responsible for doing it…lard have mercy. Incidentally, the bridge didn’t hear the driver saying “is de govament jaab foh fix it”. The driver knows that best now. The driver should have used his judgment better. No one should be sued or held responsible except the driver. Sorry.

By: mackydog

mackydog — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:23:31 +0000

Carl Veecock,
The magic word here is “perhaps”, (the 4th word in your comment). I can see you have been reading my posts in the past but seems not to understand them.
I have been one of the only bloggers (so too a few others) who has been constantly giving positive comments on this forum, even asking some of my fellow bloggers to use this forum as a medium where we can voice our opinions in a positive way, to advise or suggest ways in which we can put Guyana back on the map where instead of blasting our government (I don’t mind) and saying very derogatory things about Guyana and the Guyanese diaspora (I DO MIND)), and also instead of making silly comments exibiting ignorance causing others to believe Guyanese are stupid indeed . Case in point, only a short time ago a Guyanese was shot and killed in Barbados and before you know it, it was suspected (by one of your Canadian bloggers) to be a Guyanese who did it.
My advice to you is whenever you don’t understand something I post, hit me and I’ll explain…just like you did now.

By: donna simon

donna simon — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:55:18 +0000

Surly when it comes to any form of public crossing whether on foot or vehicles public safety is PARAMOUNT. How can the minister for Public Works not take the safety of the public as priority.

By: Arcadia Terry

Arcadia Terry — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:12:13 +0000

Note when that bridge was built in the seventies that kind of equipment did not exist in Guyana. I still blame funding for infracture being lacking in that area. I am well aware of the plight of the RDC in that area. Mr Benn knows that too.

By: Najah-love

Najah-love — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:54:50 +0000

It is so sad for Fenton to lose his life. I came from the same village Fenton grew up in New Hope (E.B.D). I knew all his family – Ricky, Chicko. His dad love his mom Doris and his sister. My heart goes out to that family. Sad, sad, sad.

By: ink09

ink09 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:35:20 +0000

sagga, I hear what you’re saying and you are right. No doubt about it. But, you’re making me wonder if you are a Guyanese or not. If you are then you should know how things work in Guyana. You can’t depend too much on the Central Government, Local Government or anyone else in office to do the things which they are supposed to do. Your assessment about the destination of the cement was a good one. Poorer folks would have hired workmen to mix the cement by hand, but the fact that this truck was delivering the cement shows that is was meant for someone with a little money; basically, a fancy house. But what I’m saying is that the driver should have seen the state of the bridge and turned back. Or, contact headquarters and have them work out some sort of plan to have the cement taken to the destination little by little, or have some men with wheel barrows carry it over the bridge.

Again, you are right when you said that the Government should build proper bridges, that’s their responsibility and it’s what tax payers pay them to do, but that doesn’t mean that one has to close his/her eyes and drive across a bridge saying “is de government jaab to fix it, is de government jaab to fix it, is de government jaab to fix it”, in hopes that the bridge will understand and not collapse.

By: 1P1N1D

1P1N1D — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:07:50 +0000

This is so sad. My prayers goes out to their families.
The really sad fact of the matter is that regardless of who build the bridge, nothing should be allowed on the bridge over the specified maximum allowed.

By: de canadianCarl Veecock

de canadianCarl Veecock — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:03:43 +0000

Ease up Gopie.

De man was a hard wuking man going diligently about his daily work.

You ever try reading the weight limit on any bridge when you are driving?

First you have to search for the sign.
Then you have to get some binoculars to read it if you do find it.
Next if you have to turn back you have to contend with irate motorists.

Ease up my friend.

It was most tragic.

By: de canadianCarl Veecock

de canadianCarl Veecock — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:59:09 +0000

You right chetty12…” The government need to stop being reactive and more proactive “. But when?

I am eagerly awaiting the return of Sharma TV.

Hopefully he won’t fall into any traps that might be deliberately laid for him.
You know what I mean?

By: de canadianCarl Veecock

de canadianCarl Veecock — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:55:46 +0000

mackydog…this is perhaps the best comment you have made in a long long time, that is, quote,
“On a positive note, it’s really nice to see how our Guyanese brethren can come together and help out in an emergency.’

Well? Yuh will kum together ‘an give ahwe more positive comments?

Ah waiting pun yuh.

By: sagga Grand K-Man

sagga Grand K-Man — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:53:40 +0000

First and foremost the truck was taking cement to a construction site, with that amount of cement I don’t think that building was for squatters which I am assuming is a transported property. They are also residence who were living in the area prior to this construction which would indicate that it was somewhat a developing or developed neighbourhood, my point is that once you have an area developing you need to have the proper infrastructure in place I am assuming again that ,that was the only way to enter into the district and if that is so it is the responsibility of the Central and Local Government to plan for these developing districts, The community took the inititative to approach the Ministry which is a clear indication that the Bridge was a potential hazard and it was,so by right the Government should be held responsible.

By: GOPIE

GOPIE — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:05:39 +0000

Don’t blame the contractor…..every bridge has a weight limit….did he observe, or use his judgement on this or just drive through as if on the motorway?

By: ink09

ink09 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:42:15 +0000

Sue? I think you forgetting that is Guyana you talking about. You can’t even file a complaint with the police without getting the run-around, imagine a lawsuit.

By: billp

billp — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:30:42 +0000

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ink09, Had the driver exercise good judgement he would’ve been alive today.

By: billp

billp — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:25:51 +0000

Sure blame the Ministry of Public Works. Did it occur to you had the driver exercised good judgement he would’ve been alive today. For crying out loud he was driving a commercial vehicle across a bridge, that wasn’t built to accomodate that much weight. LOOK at the picture; the bridge was constructed with wooden planks, do you need a sign to warn you it’s unsafe carrying 20 tons of weight?

By: rp

rp — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:31:04 +0000

Sorry for the loss of such a hard-working man and hope the other recovers well.
Now, why the hell do the people have to raise money (is it the responsibility of the people to fund these projects?) I must say hats off to all the people who helped to get the injured out (that is who we are Guyanese) and that is how we do things.
They have placed all the emphasis on Carifesta no doubt. Nobody has ever been held responsible for these actions.
Well the truck had 20 tonnes and the bridge had a capacity for 5 with a sign posted. Did anyone see a sign at the time of the accident. I am assuming that this is not the first time these types of trucks crossed this bridge because of the construction that is taking place. I agree with one of the commenters to sue the authorities. Get a good civil lawyer and sue under tort law for professional negligence. Sue the NDC, RDC, the Government and every avenue possible. With regards to Toolsie Persaud, I am not sure if they are in the hook for anything; the most they can do is assist the family and help with NIS claims.