A 34-year-old man is now dead after the fuel tanker he was operating toppled at Tapir Trail, Buck Hall, Region Two (Pomeroom-Supenaam) on Sunday.
Dead is Atewick DeFreitas of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara.
Reports are that the driver lost control of the tanker while travelling down a hill. As a result, the vehicle careened off the road and crashed into a ravine.
The tanker was one of three heading to the Aurora Mine, operated by Aurora Gold Mine Inc – a subsidiary of Guyana Goldfields Inc.
The driver was employed by Trail Boss Interior Trucking Services Inc, locally contracted by AGM to transport fuel to its Aurora Mine. According to Police information, the driver was travelling at a fast rate of speed when the accident occurred.
During the accident, the driver’s body was reportedly flung out of the vehicle. Following the report of the accident, AGM’s emergency response team attended the site, where the company’s medical officer reported that the driver had succumbed to his injuries.
The company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, Allen Palmiere, in a statement stated, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and our condolences go to his family. Our immediate focus is to support his family, friends and colleagues at this most difficult time. Safety for everyone is our highest priority and this was the first time that an accident of this nature has occurred while fuel is being transported off-site to Aurora.
The body is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
