Visually impaired Anna Catherina man dies after June 7 accident

A 55-year-ol visually impaired man of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara lost his life four days after he was struck down by a minibus on the Leonora Public Road on June 7.

Mahipaul Dhanraj, 55,  who suffered head injuries and broken ribs and a spine, was first rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital in an ambulance.

Dhanraj was treated and immediately transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH). He was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and a surgery was performed. The man died the following day.

Mahipaul Dhanraj
Mahipaul Dhanraj

His sister, Nalini Khamechand told this newspaper that around 9:30 am a taxi driver who knew him, stopped and activated his hazard lights for him to cross.

She learnt that two other cars also stopped but a minibus came from behind and overtook the three vehicles and struck Dhanraj. The minibus driver continued his journey but police officers who were driving behind followed the bus and pulled him in. The driver was ordered to discharge his passengers and place the man in the bus to take him to the hospital.

Khamechand said a friend passed at the same time and informed her husband, who is also a minibus driver, about the accident. He went to Leonora Hospital but the injured man had  already been taken to the WDRH.

She joined her husband at the Leonora Police Station to inquire about the accident and then went to the WDRH.

The woman was told that the driver was placed on station bail and that the police are seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions before filing charges. But Stabroek News was told by police sources that the matter is still being investigated.