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Crash claims 5

BY Gaulbert Sutherland and Administrator

Five persons died in a horrific smash-up involving a car and a pick-up on the Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara public road last night,

Dead are brothers 20-year-old Jason and 17-year-old Julian Martin, 19-year-old Colin Fredericks of Plaisance, 16-year-old Ezra Ferguson, and 25-year-old Royston Dempster of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. The friends had gone to a creek on the highway for the afternoon and were returning home when the accident occurred around 8 pm.
Three pedestrians were also involved in the accident and 10-year-old Priya Ali sustained several broken bones and is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH)

According to reports, the accident occurred at the turn at the Land of Canaan public road. The vehicle, PLL 328, that the five friends were in was heading towards the city and reportedly swerved to avoid the Ali and collided with the pick-up, GJJ 2909. The car was badly crushed.

Ali and her aunt, Nazeena Ali with her husband, Himnauth Agard were heading southwards on the right hand side of the road when the incident occurred. A shaken Nazeena told Stabroek News at the hospital, where she was awaiting treatment that they were heading home when the speeding car came around the turn. She said that it appeared to be swerving and they attempted to get away but it came too quickly. “This car just carry she (Priya) away and pitch me away”, she stated. She landed in a ditch and after recovering began looking for her niece. Agard said that he attempted to hold on to them but they were flung away. Priya was in an unconscious state but was said to be in a stable condition. Following the collision, all but Jason, the driver, were said to have been flung out of the car. It is not clear if any occupants of the pick-up were injured. Another vehicle was also involved but not in a significant way.

Large groups of relatives descended upon the GPH last evening seeking to find out if their relatives were among the dead. Screams erupted and there was loud sobbing as the relatives of some were confirmed dead.

At the Martin’s home, their grandmother, attorney-at-law, Gwendolyn Bristol was inconsolable. The first day of the Bristols’ family reunion had been held at the gymnasium on Mandela Avenue earlier yesterday and Jason had attended. The grieving woman sobbed loudly and repeatedly asked “why”. Jason had been driving his mother, Yulanda Weekes’ car. Their father, Gregory Martin, is in the United States. Bristol told Stabroek News that Jason was a mechanic and Julian was a Third Former at the Apex Academy. She said that every day she read the newspapers to them noting the crimes and accidents and warning them to be careful.

At the Fredericks’ home relatives cried and spoke about him. Neighbours were shocked at the news and wondered how other relatives would take the news that he was dead.
Nicole Ferguson, the mother of 16-year-old Ezra, a Third form student of the Cummings Lodge Secondary said that whenever he went out she kept tabs on him by calling his phone but yesterday afternoon only got his voicemail. Later in the evening, she called again and a strange voice told her to go to the hospital, where she learnt of the younger of her two sons’ death. She said that he had left the home just after mid-day yesterday and had told her that he was going to the creek.

Niki Abrams, the reputed wife of Dempster was heading to the GPH last evening, having heard about the accident and because the father of her two-year-old son, Colin had not yet returned home after leaving with the Martins, who had come to call him earlier yesterday morning. Her worst fears were confirmed upon checking at the police outpost there. Sobbing and asking why she questioned what her son was going to do without his father.

At each home, relatives turned up and many persons expressed shock at the horrific incident.

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34 Responses to “Crash claims 5”

Ivorine
on July 7th, 2008 5:50 am

What is going on our roads today.Five innocent youths as died because of careless driving our drivers needs to be more careful especially on that same land of canaan road that claim the life of many others.I give my condolence to those families

[Reply to this]
Lawnman
on July 7th, 2008 7:10 am

Everyday I read SN, someone is killed or injured in a road accident and whole families are left in shock an grief. Sons, daughters, mothers and fathers lost, and they are left asking why?

A motor vehicle of any sort should be viewed as a lethal weapon and treated as such. Speeding an lack of observation are the cause of accidents the world over and usually the price is death or severe injuries.

You can’t just get into or onto a vehicle and go, you need to learn how to control your vehicle, you have to learn how to observe situations on the road ahead and how to deal with them, you have to learn how to read the road.

When I say read the road I don’t mean like how you would read a book, but if you are driving in or near a populated area slower speeds and greater care is needed. Better observation of other traffic and pedestrians is required in those places.

If you can’t see around a bend in the road or a corner then you won’t know if there is anything there, a broken down vehicle, a fallen tree an animal or people crossing, anything.

In places where people live, old people who can’t hear or see to well may be crossing. Young children play and sometime forget about traffic and if you speed you won’t have time to stop if one runs out onto the road.

I have read that Guyana is opening up tourism to and from Brazil and with that will come an increase in traffic and the fact they drive on the opposite side of the road will bring new dangers to the roads in Guyana.

If Guyana doesn’t want to start filling up its hospitals with more motor accident victims then better traffic management schemes have to be put into place. More and better road sinage and markings, better driver and pedestrian education, speed restrictions and traffic policeing so that people can use the road safely.

All the above won’t stop accidents form happening but if implemented and enforced will reduce serious injuries and fatalities on the road.

[Reply to this]
bgsbny
on July 7th, 2008 7:28 am

…. how many in authority read these comments ???? i am and has been consitent with my harsh criticisms on road users in GY,, and every other sphere of life,, it seems that the dailies need to be more proactive ,, in the message of caution to the G’nese people on the use of the roads ,, the electronic media too has to be involved with this ” mindlessness ” that prevails witout thought by one and all ,, it was my decision to be harsh ,, and to sound detached from the grief that many families over the years have suffered and to those who are now to suffer this ! what more can be done,, i hardly think that the straightening of the roads will make a difference ,,since every bend in the road should serve to caution all road users about the dangers of the way vehicular traffic operates in GY ,,,,,, 9 out of ten times speed is the cause !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply to this]
redindian
on July 7th, 2008 7:52 am

my condolences go to all the families another sad day for guyana !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply to this]
Berkeley Van Bowen
on July 7th, 2008 8:32 am

My goodness gracious- not only is there a brain drain in Guyana, they are also experiencing a “life” drain.

Not a day goes by without the lives of young vibrant Guyanese being snuffed out and the government has no real plan in place to put an end to this human resource bleed.

[Reply to this]
Incognegro
on July 7th, 2008 9:04 am

RIP

[Reply to this]
Raj
on July 7th, 2008 9:32 am

This is sad. Something needs to be done about our traffic laws.

[Reply to this]
AFINAM
on July 7th, 2008 10:28 am

Do you see how the little girl who was killed and the aunt picture were not posted on Stabroek Website?

As well as, read another newspaper and we findout that the driver JASON (20) was drinking and his17 year old brother was telling him to not drink so much.

Need me to say it again?

[Reply to this]
Berkeley Van Bowen
In reply to the above comment on July 7th, 2008 12:09 pm:
Afinam, are you suggesting that the Stabroek news is deliberately omitting information in an effort to influence public opinion? I personally disagree with your intimation and find it unfounded and inflammatory.

[Reply to this]
buxton_man
In reply to the above comment on July 7th, 2008 12:27 pm:
So, what’s your point??

[Reply to this]
gtmassive
In reply to the above comment on July 7th, 2008 12:49 pm:
Have you considered that the family may not have wanted to give pictures to SN?

[Reply to this]
Chemist
In reply to the above comment on July 7th, 2008 3:50 pm:
Who said the little girl died, please read again if you can!!!

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on July 7th, 2008 9:30 pm:
Afinam’
I didn’t read the other newspapers, but if what you say is true, then yes, Stabroek news is biased. This is not the first time SN prints what they want for us to feel HOW they want us to feel. I did wonder why we saw no photos of either the child or the aunt, but didmissed it to believing the family did not have any to supply…but nevertheless, hmmm.

[Reply to this]
truegt
on July 7th, 2008 10:28 am

speeding kills.

[Reply to this]
AFINAM
In reply to the above comment on July 7th, 2008 1:28 pm:
So does DRUNK DRIVERS.

[Reply to this]
gordonmnr
on July 7th, 2008 10:59 am

my sympathy to the families involved

[Reply to this]
popeoplefedup
on July 7th, 2008 12:14 pm

I think the time has got to come for people to earn, not buy their licences.

This may or may not have been the case, but it is common knowledge that the car licence trade is flourishing in Guyana.

[Reply to this]
LoveGT4Real
on July 7th, 2008 12:56 pm

This is so sad, it pains me just to look upon these youths.

It’s not just the authorities that have to do something here, each citizen should play whatever part they can, as such tragedies do not discriminate. Look at the Ali family for instance, they were innocent pedestrians here (they were truly fortunate to survive this ordeal).

It does not take much to imagine that transpired before the crash……………………. an afternoon at the beach, apparently a “few” drinks, followed by a “need for speed” to impress the occupants of the car.

Drivers ought to realise that drinking and driving is extremely suicidal, and the authorities need to introduce deterrents such as breathalysers, couples with some really hefty fines for violators.

My sincere condolences to the families.

[Reply to this]
SOESDYKE
on July 7th, 2008 5:37 pm

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IN GUYANA THEY DON’T WEAR SEAT BELTS AND THAT SPOT AND ONE IN SUPPLY ARE THE MOST DEADLY ON THE E.B.DEMERARA.
R.I.P YOUNG SONS OF GUYANA.

[Reply to this]
babe d
on July 7th, 2008 5:59 pm

this is so sad to hear about with gratiude i send out condolences to all the families may you find the strength to cope .

[Reply to this]
momohunny
on July 7th, 2008 8:51 pm

It is so sad that we have to go through this year after year. If there is any event at the creek or any where else more traffic police should be on the road so they can control the traffic situation. When you are on the highway here in the US and you see a cop you better be doing the speed limit. No one wants to pass the po po if he is in front of you. We need some of that or the road carnage will never stop. You have to be very observant and drive for you and the other drivers. I was very happy when the started to measure out stiff traffic penalties. It seems as though nothing last. My condolences goes out to the family.

[Reply to this]
Sanderson Rowe
on July 7th, 2008 9:52 pm

What really irks me is that time after time, people sit in the back and /or alongside a driver and allow him to drive them to their death. The Police and the Authorities cannot be everwhere. We have got to learn to police ourselves.

[Reply to this]
stone80
In reply to the above comment on July 8th, 2008 12:17 pm:
amen

[Reply to this]
momohunny
In reply to the above comment on July 8th, 2008 12:57 pm:
The police should be every where that is there job to protect. I agree we have to do our part. It seems as though hardly any one wants to be a police officer. There is a shortage. People in Guyana are hardheaded. The enjoy breaking the law and that is why they suffer serious consequences.

[Reply to this]
freetorun
In reply to the above comment on July 8th, 2008 8:02 pm:
what, a police for each person.
put some common/////////////////////????? in your ?????????????????
raponzel
on July 7th, 2008 10:32 pm

In light of all the above comments, I do not disagree with them but at the same time, have u ever seen how most people walk on our streets in Guyana?
The police need to be more serious with those who walk the streets, I am speaking from experience.

[Reply to this]
neileosb
on July 8th, 2008 12:22 am

My condolence to the family of the deceased, May God grant you the strength to cope with this.
While many drivers drink and drive thus contributing to lots of the accidents on our roads, I also believe the police are helping in a great way by taking bribes to issue licences to those who are willing to pay the price. This needs to be looked into urgently by the authorities.
If licences can be bought, then there will always be increase in accidents on our roads.

Rest in peace young ones

[Reply To This]

[Reply to this]
Slickapuss
on July 8th, 2008 1:10 am

Speed bumps and traffic lights will help.

[Reply to this]
buxton_man
In reply to the above comment on July 8th, 2008 12:16 pm:
It is not wise to put speed bumps on a main road or highway. They will slow down emergency vehicles.

[Reply to this]
stone80
In reply to the above comment on July 8th, 2008 12:22 pm:
Have you ever seen a speed bump on a free way?Awareness and common sense must prevail.

[Reply to this]
GOPIE
on July 8th, 2008 3:33 pm

NEW TRAFFIC LAWS SHOULD BE TABLED IN PARLIMENT,,,STIFFER PENALTIES FOR DRINK DRIVERS,UNLICENCED DRIVERS, CARELESS DRIVERS ETC…MORE TRAFFIC COPS ON THE ROAD…ANY IRREGULARITIES, UNDERHAND BUSINESS BY TRAFFIC COPS SHOULD BE DEALTH WITH IN THE STRICKEST POSSIBLE MANNER….ANY MOTORIST FOUND VIOLATING THE LAWS OF THE ROAD SHOULD BE DISCIPLINED,SUSPENDED OR BANNED FROM DRIVING ON THE ROAD ……….

[Reply to this]
Debbie
on July 8th, 2008 4:18 pm

Drunk Drivers will always use their vechiles as leathal weapons, killing, maiming and causing grief to the innocent users traversing the road ways.
What is the Guyana Police doing to prevent this kind of blatant misuse of the road ways?……
NOTHING but take BRIBES! Bribes are given to procure the licenses to drive the vechicles that kill and bribes are given to not have chareges placed on these reckless drivers.
North Amercian countries do not have this much road fatalties per annum in comparsion to population per capita.

[Reply to this]
totally fed up
on July 8th, 2008 6:47 pm

MY SINCER SYWPATHY GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF THE DECEASED

THIS IS VER DAD.

IM CALLING ON ALL THE YOUTHS PLEASE LET US B MORE CAREFUL ON THE ROAD SO THAT WE CAN PREVENT ANY SUCH THING.

MAY GOD B WITH US ALL.

[Reply to this]
bbuckman
on July 13th, 2008 1:09 am

tragic incidence.zero tolerance in enforcing traffic law is needed

[Reply to this]