Three die in Arimu Road crash

Three persons have been confirmed dead in an accident at Arimu Road, Region Seven after a truck overturned while climbing up a steep hill.

The body of a man and a woman reported to be his wife are at the Bartica Hospital along with the other dead person.

The police today issued the following release on the accident.

“At about 0930h today motor lorry GMM 2441 was proceeding along a trail at Bottom Arawak, Arimu, with a load of fuel and nine passengers, seven of whom were in the tray of the vehicle, when the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn.

“Consequently the vehicle turned over resulting in injuries to the driver and passengers.

“They were all taken to the Bartica Hospital where Sheliza Garcia, 22 years, and Joseph Perez, 31 years, both of Third Avenue, Bartica; along with Xavier Anthony, 29 years of Norton Street, Georgetown, were pronounced DOA.

“Four more passengers were referred to the GPHC while two others have been admitted to the Bartica Hospital.

“The driver was treated and sent away and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.”

A Bartica resident told Stabroek News  that the truck was loaded with fuel and was climbing up a steep hill in the gold mining area when the “truck fall out of gear” and began to roll backwards before toppling.

The accident occurred between 10 and 11 am today. The truck owned by a man called ‘Sheep’ left Bartica this morning for Quartzstone in the Cuyuni.

It is the latest in a series of fatal accidents in interior mining areas.