Accident victim now facing life as amputee

-family wants justice

Shelly Thompson, who is now an amputee after her leg was crushed during a smash-up on Saturday morning along the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara, is recovering in hospital and her family is seeking justice.

Thompson, 50, of Timehri, East Bank Demerara and a mother of 4, had her right foot crushed as a result of the accident, while GDF Corporal Travis Pollard, 34, of Lot 105 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara suffered minor injuries.

Both Thompson and Pollard were passengers of minibus BTT 8079. Several other persons were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre after sustaining minor injuries.

Neilson McKenzie, Thompson’s son, told Stabroek News yesterday that after a disappointing trip to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where his mother’s head had to be literally held up for hours because of the lack of an appropriate bed, she is recovering after she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Shelly Thompson
Shelly Thompson

He said that it was after her transfer to the GPH that doctors amputated his mother’s right foot.

McKenzie stated that although his mother is now recovering, the possibility of nerve damage hovers over the family as she is presently unable to move her right hand.

He added that his mother is unable to recollect exactly what occurred but remembers that the minibus driver was driving at an “okay rate” from Timehri.

According to McKenzie, his mother stated that the driver picked up a passenger while proceeding from Timehri who was arguing about the driver’s slow pace. This displeasure continued for quite some time causing the driver to cease the picking up of other passengers in an attempt to quicken his pace.

Though unable to recall the exact movements of the bus when the accident occurred, his mother relayed to him that all she remembers is a truck hitting the bus and it being pushed.

Thompson related through her son that she is grateful for a gentleman in a brightly coloured shirt who assisted in removing her from the bus and is very thankful for life.

She, however, expressed disappointment that her bag, which contained her national identification card, passport and NIS card among other documents, was apparently stolen from the minibus.

McKenzie stated that the police have been in contact with the family and that they will make an effort to have his mother speak to them sometime today. He stated that neither driver has attempted to make contact with the family.

The family’s only desire, according to McKenzie is for a thorough investigation to be done and for the person(s) responsible for the incident to be prosecuted.