A 36-year-old newspaper vendor died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after being involved in an accident at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara (WBD) yesterday.
Troy Assanah, a father of four of Old Road, La Grange, WBD died close to 1pm at the medical institution. His brother, Oliver told Stabroek News that his brother was riding his motorcycle on the Canal Number One public road some time after 11am yesterday, when the accident occurred. Assanah swerved to avoid a car and in the course of doing so, he lost control, fell and hit his head. He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital but due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the GPH, where he succumbed after spending about five to ten minutes there.
Assanah was a familiar sight on the western side of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, where he sold his newspapers. On a daily basis, he could be seen cajoling motorists to purchase from him and during peak periods would sometimes stand in the middle of the road, as traffic slowed to sell his newspapers. He was known to many travellers on the West Demerara as ‘Rasta Man’ and had been selling at the location for a number of years.
“He was a kind person,” Oliver said of his brother. Assanah leaves to mourn his reputed wife, four children, parents, siblings and other relatives. A post-mortem examination is expected to de done today.
A very hard worker…..my sympaties go out to this family on the loss of their breadwinner….very sad indeed he was a real hustler,an example of a man who knew what it took to make a living!!!
That’s true…………some people after 5 years of so call “hard work” and monies from the parents “hard work” suddenly begins to build some big houses and driving fancy cars……….calling it hard work and years of saving……………..more like saving the “white” sugar to sell!!
Troy Assanah Decease,
I like to send my deepest sympathy to his famaily wife children mother father brothers, sister, neices and nephews and all the extended family.
To his mother and father Joan and Percy my thoughts are with you. I pray that God give you strength to cary on.
I was in Guyana last December 07 for his uncle’s furneral and I remember a couple days after the funeral I was standing at the Harbour Bridge and watching him selling, always with a smile and litter laughter for his customers.
He was a happy and willing person. He had all the qualities and all what it takes for customer services’ person.
He was kind and gentle with his children very loving to his wife and for the rest of the family the same and playfull.
He graced our lives, I will miss him greatly. Whenever I come over to Guyana, it will not be the same.
Troy Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory
Aunty Wendy (In London)
God bless your soul.
another cyclist gone. what we just do not learn as they saying says “those who forget the past are condemmed to repeat it” when will they make it mandatory for all riders to wear helmets and also enforce seatbelt rules in cars? currently only the driver and front passenger are required to wear seat-belt while in a vehicle. too many accidents involving vehicles. it all seems so helpless. too many pestrians being killed and too many cyclist dying. what are we to do?
Rastaman was indeed a kind man! Why did this happen? He was hardworking and only recently his stall was broken down by the authorities but he didnt give up and become disillusioned, he continued to sell his papers and bread on the road side. This is so sad.
JAH has taken him to a better place. It’s nice to note that in spite of his tribulations he continued to ply an honest trade. Some bloggers seem to think I support criminals who are created through the process of disillusionment. I don’t. Troy is one of those who held out, unfortunately we do not all react similarly to life’s trials.
RIP Selassie’s son.
Sad! May his Soul rest in Peace!
Wife without husband, children fatherless, a sad Christmas for the family.. May the Family find Solace in their time of distress..
This saddens me. Its true, he was always pleasant and polite. Over the years, I have grown to deeply admire the enthusiasm and humility with which he practiced his trade amd I would make a special effort to give him a good morning/smile greeting as I drive past him. He seemed like a peaceful and kind person. I will miss his presence.
Was he wearing helmet at the time of the accident? He was indeed a familiar sight ath the western end of the bridge.
I sympathise with his family.
I am so saddened by this tragic news, I don’t really know him personally but whenever I drove up to him in the mornings he would know exactly which newspaper to give me. He seems to be quite a people person. I will like to extent my sincerest sympathies to his wife, children and close relatives. May his soul rest in peace.
It’s a pity he was not smart enough to invest his money in purchasing a helmet. Talk about being penny wise and pound foolish. Tragic!
What a wise comment SWAT,that helmet money was about the price of one child’s school clothes….when you are in Guyana,ask people who are busy struggling to put food on their children’s plate,how many of them would buy themselves a pair of briefs,or anything that they need for themselves,no matter how important it is(sigh)some of us have it so good,that we have little sympathy for the poor in Guyana!!
My kindhearted compatriot, would it be too much for me to ask you to make a donation of helmets for those of us who have long thick dreadlocks to the Police traffic department??? The prices are high & the cost of living & acquiring basic DAILY necessities for those who depend on us is even higher.
This is a very sad story indeed.
However, I have a question, was he wearing his helmet?
the article said that he received severe head injuries……………..
I hope others take note and abide by the law; it’s for their own safety.
My condolences to the family.
Allison you ask a very good question, about the helmet. But in Guyana when you have many mouths to feed, some people just can not afford a helmet, sad but true.
Allison you are right on this one, safety FIRST. And it is a girl, thanks for asking.