Accidents disrupt traffic along East Bank road

Traffic along the East Bank Demerara highway was disrupted yesterday afternoon after two separate accidents, just minutes apart.

The first accident occurred sometime around 1.50 pm and involved the drivers of a Toyota Tacoma, which had number plate GNN 1794, and a Toyota Carina 192, bearing number plate PKK 3948.

They were both heading north in the western carriageway of the Eccles Public Road when the accident occurred.

According to eyewitness Kevin McIntosh, the driver of the Tacoma was on the outer lane of the road when the other driver tried overtaking. The driver of the Tacoma then proceeded to move into the inner lane, cornering the other driver, who ended up driving on to the concrete median barrier a few feet off the ground and ramming into a light pole.

Traffic was slowed as curious motorists subsequently tried to snap photos of the vehicle, which was suspended on the median barrier until it was removed later in the afternoon.

The Tacoma ended up on its side. Its driver wished not to make any comments but there were visible lacerations above his left eye. The other driver was not present.

The car involved in the Eccles accident on top of the median barrier
The car involved in the Eccles accident on top of the median barrier

The eyewitness pointed out that both vehicles were speeding.

Meanwhile, further north, about twenty-five minutes later, at the Houston intersection, a ­­­­­freight truck turned on its side after trying to avoid a head on collision with a police car that was driving in the one-way lane.

The truck, which was carrying a twenty-foot container believed to be filled with rice, was heading north from Technomills Inc in Eccles to John Fernandes Limited, while the police car was heading south along the same lane, which is a one-way.

Eyewitness Rupert Davis related that the truck, which bore licence plate GMM 9544, was going at a “normal speed” and apparently didn’t anticipate that a car would be coming in the opposite direction, since it was a one-way lane. The eyewitness also recalled seeing the driver standing in the cab of the truck trying to “pump the brakes” and the truck then began to swerve, causing it to turn on its left side along the lane. The police subsequently removed the driver from the vehicle and took him to the hospital, he said.

Efforts afterward to contact the driver of the freight truck were unsuccessful.

It is unclear whether the police car had its siren on.

Persons trying to flip the Tacoma back on its wheels after the accident yesterday.
Persons trying to flip the Tacoma back on its wheels after the accident yesterday.
The freight truck on its side at the Houston intersection yesterday  afternoon.
The freight truck on its side at the Houston intersection yesterday
afternoon.