Second Independence Day crash victim died

Mortland Richmond, 26, one of the members of a family injured in the Independence Day crash at West Berbice died on Monday after his liver collapsed, his mother Joan Rodney said.

Richmond was described by his mother as a loving and nice person who got along with everyone. The young man leaves his mother and 13 siblings to mourn his passing.

The only relative who died when the accident occurred was Julie Rodney, 43, of Lot 7, Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice.

The cause of the accident was not clear since relatives who were present at the Georgetown Public Hospital could not say how it happened. The accident occurred at Number 42 Village, West Berbice.

A relative said that Rodney had a huge laceration to her neck and may have died on the spot.

Except for four persons, all of the other passengers in the bus, which was packed to capacity, were related. Among the injured were Joan Rodney, Lovena Rodney, Kimberly Rodney, Allana McKenzie, Hope Marie McKenzie, Vero Fraser, and her two-year-old grandchild; Joel Joseph, 23; Rayon, (only name given) of Chich, (only name given) Nichola (only name given) of Hopetown and Chelsie Semple, 17. They have all recovered from the accident.

The bus was carrying the family to President David Granger’s inauguration.