Injured St Lucian Cub Scout recovering

Nick Omari Joseph, the St Lucian Cub Scout who was seriously injured in an incident involving a car last week at Woolford Avenue, has been moved to the Children’s Ward of Georgetown Public Hospital as his condition continues to improve.

Joseph, another St Lucian Cub Darnell Matthew and his mother, Jacqueline Matthew, who is a scout leader, were struck down by a car last Tuesday afternoon near the Scout Association of Guyana headquarters at Woolford Avenue.

Camp Chief of the Cuboree Zaida Joaquin said on Tuesday that it would seem Joseph continues to show signs of improvement. She went on to explain that while he was initially placed on a ventilator to assist his breathing, he has since been removed from it as he is now able to breathe on his own.

Meanwhile, Stabroek News was yesterday informed that Joseph has since been moved from the ICU to the Children’s Ward.

The three victims were all visiting as part of the 14th Caribbean Cuboree, which ended on July 29, and saw some 1,000 youth from 14 countries participating.

In an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, the driver, Tracy Fordyce pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was sentenced to a 10-month jail term.

She was also charged with being in breach of a one-way, for which she was fined $15,000.

Police in a statement revealed that prior to the incident, Fordyce had parked her vehicle in front of the North Georgetown Primary School, where she had gone to conduct a registration. She was refused entry because of her mode of dress.

“As a result, she became annoyed and drove out of the Avenue, in the process the vehicle struck down the two children,” the police release stated.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, had told this newspaper that the driver of the car had gotten stuck in the mud before the vehicle gained traction. Subsequently, the driver, who was said to be in a fit of rage, reportedly lost control and struck the victims.