The mini-bus accident on the East Bank Demerara Public Road on Sunday morning has claimed the life of a third person.
Dead is Sydney Ragnauth, a 77-year-old resident of Kuru Kururu, Linden/Soesdyke Highway. A police report stated that Ragnauth died at the Georgetown Public Hospital [GPH] at around 11:15 am while receiving medical treatment. He was identified by his son Raymond Ragnauth. The body is presently at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. The accident had already claimed the lives of the driver of the mini-bus, Keon Chandos Edwards and passenger Alvin Jones, 51, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). Meanwhile, five other passengers were discharged from the East Demerara Regional Hospital, Diamond, while two others are expected to be discharged today.
One of the injured, Joshua Bacchus, an 18-year-old glazier of Lot 598 Kuru Kururu, Linden/Soesdyke Highway told Stabroek News that he was on his way to work in Georgetown when the accident occurred. Bacchus recalled that he was seated in the back seat of the bus. He said that at Friendship, the bus began overtaking a car. It then skidded and toppled, and when it came to a stop, he jumped through the bus window. He said he suffered injuries to his left wrist, foot and finger. Bacchus said he is thankful to God for saving his life. Bacchus was discharged on Sunday afternoon.
Keriann Rodrigues’ mother, Claudia Rodrigues, spoke on her behalf. Keriann, 22 year-old, a sales representative/cashier of Gafoor’s at Mc Doom and of Kuru Kururu Linden/Soesdyke related that she too is thankful to God for saving her life. Claudia said that Keriann, who was unexpectedly late for work related that when the bus toppled, her head struck the top of the bus. Keriann sustained trauma to the head, a broken shoulder and multiple bruises about her body. Keriann was discharged yesterday morning after receiving treatment for her injuries. She was told her head injury was not serious.
The crash occurred around 8:30 am. According to the police, Edwards was driving minibus BYY 7440 north along the western carriageway of the East Bank Public Road at a fast rate, when it collided with motor car PAD 3102 resulting in the car ramming into the rear of another, PXX 5169, which then collided with the front right bumper of a third car, PXX 5169. Consequently, Edwards lost control of the mini-bus and it toppled several times during which passengers were flung in several directions. The bus came to an eventual halt on the western parapet of the road facing west with extensive damage, the police said.
Eight passengers were picked up and rushed to the East Demerara Regional Hospital at Diamond where they were examined by doctors. Meanwhile, Edwards and Jones were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by EMTs. Measurements were taken, statements obtained, and CCTV footage of the accident was also obtained, as the investigations continue.
