Four killed, several injured in Buck Hall accident

By Bhisham Mohamed and Indrawattie Natram –

Tragedy struck last Saturday night at Buck Hall, North West District (NWD) when a truck turned turtle after it rolled down a hill, killing at least four persons and injuring eight in the process. The accident occurred about 23:00h.

The dead were identified as Aubrey Evans of Supenaam, Essequibo Coast; Richard Doobay, 33, of Riverstown; Pamela Solomon, 41, of Sophia and George Persaud of Berbice. They were reportedly pinned by the heavy-duty truck and were severely burnt by the fuel which poured out of the tanks.
Those who received injuries and were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital were Keron James, 21, of 627 Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Wayne Blake, 48, of 185 La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Marlan Brown, 20, of Sisters Village, WBD; Benedict Leonard, 26, of 144 Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara; Michael Garnett, 28, of 369 Number 77 Village Corentyne, Berbice; Kavita Klinken, 20, of Sisters Village; Andre Abel, 23, of Lot 4 Branch Road, Mahaicony, (ECD) and Leroy Sealey of Wales (WBD).
According to information received, the Bedford truck bearing registration number GNN 8941 was climbing a hill at 113 Miles on the Barama Road, when it started to experience mechanical problems, causing it to topple some 65 feet downhill.
Further reports received stated that the truck was heading to Aranka Backdam with 22 passengers when the accident occurred. The deceased were reportedly soliciting a ride to the backdam. Guyana Times International understands that as the truck was rolling down the hill, some of the passengers jumped out to save their lives, but the four who perished remained in the truck.

The injured were rushed to the Buck Hall Health Centre and they were transported via boat to Parika, followed by ambulances to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Survivors thankful
Survivors of the accident reported the accident as a “horrific” one in which some of them lost a great deal of valuables, however, they were thankful to God for sparing their lives, as they reminisced on seeing their fellow passengers die screaming before their eyes.
Miners who spoke with this publication explained that once trucks are loaded, it is often difficult for them to climb the high hills as a result of the excessive weight.

Speaking with this publication, one of the injured men at the GPHC, Wayne Blake explained that they were travelling up a hill, and as the truck reached the top, it completely shut down.
He added that the truck started to roll back down. The driver, Keron James, in an attempt to steady the vehicle, applied brakes, but these subsequently failed.
Similar incident
Less than a month ago, several persons were hospitalised after another truck toppled on the Buck Hall trail. Charles Smithet, 58, and his son, Trevor, 41, of Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke/Linden Highway; Osward Jacobs, 40; Ethan Bazillio; Handel Thom, 23, of Lot 9 Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara; and Tyrone (only name given) were all taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention.
Based on information gathered, a truck laden with lumber was travelling to Buck Hall, while another truck carrying about 14 miners was heading in the opposite direction.
As a result of the narrowness of the road, the truck with the miners pulled over and gave the laden lumber truck the right of way. Additional information received revealed that dust raised from the dry road, lowered visibility, thus causing the driver of the truck carrying the miners to run off the road and overturn.  Some of the men were pinned, while others jumped to safety before the truck came to a halt.
Miners who operate in the area said accidents are caused mainly by speeding and poor negotiation of turns.