Elderly guard dies after struck down

Police are investigating the death of a 72 year old security guard following an accident on the Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Monday night.

Joseph Cockfield
Joseph Cockfield

According to a release from the police, Joseph Cockfield of 235 Second Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was pushing a bicycle across the Public Road when he was struck down by a motor car. The accident occurred around 9:45 pm.

Stabroek News visited the area yesterday and spoke to his brother James Cockfield, who related that his brother was on his way home from work when he was struck down by the car. James, who lives on the Grove Public Road, said the accident occurred about four houses away from his residence, as he pointed to pieces of shattered glass on the roadway. He said his brother, who is fondly known as ‘Buxton’, does not have any children and was single at the time of his death.

He also related that  his brother   has been living at Grove for over 40 years since moving from the East Coast Demerara village of Buxton  and  celebrated his seventy-second birthday on  March 15.

Cockfield’s neighbours recalled him as an easy going person who lived alone. They said they were informed by persons at the scene of the accident that the driver of the car lives a few houses away from the deceased. A wake will be held tonight at the residence of the deceased and he will be buried later in the week.

The driver of the car is in police custody, assisting with investigations.