Hopetown pedestrian dies after struck by motorcycle

A 44-year-old resident of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice died after he was struck by a motorcycle around 9:30 pm on Saturday.

Ted Sherwin Da Silva sustained injuries to his head and was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital (FWH) in an unconscious state. He was also bleeding through his nose and mouth.

He was treated and immediately referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He appeared to have died

Ted Da Silva
Ted Da Silva

on his way there at Hope, East Coast Demerara and the ambulance turned back, according to his brother, Mark Anthony Da Silva.

He was confirmed dead by a doctor at the FWH and was taken to the hospital’s mortuary where he is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Mark said his brother was on his way to attend a wake in the village when he met his demise.

According to him, his brother had already crossed the road and was beyond “the white line” when he was struck.

Police said in a release that the accident occurred as Da Silva allegedly attempted to cross the St. John Road. The pillion rider on the motorcycle, Roxanne McKenzie of Hopetown, suffered injuries and was treated at the FWH and sent away. The rider of the motorcycle is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Mark told Stabroek News that his brother who was differently-abled was a member of the Disabled Persons Network in Region Five.

Da Silva, he said, was “very helpful around the house.” He also made mats to sell using pieces of ‘scrap’ fabrics, a trade he learnt from an aunt who is a seamstress.

He said too that his old brother was the first to volunteer to sing hymns and give tributes at funerals and was loved by all for his lively personality.

In tears, he said “a big part of my heart gone… I would miss him; the whole village would miss him.”