– Government deeply saddened at tragic death

A TALENTED young lad who was slated to perform at the 50th Independence anniversary flag-raising ceremony was killed Tuesday evening after he was run over by the very truck that was transporting him and other students.Dead is 14-year- old Kivon Scipio of Lot 6 Railway Road, Kitty.

Reports revealed that the truck was transporting the steelpans back to the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School and Scipio was among the steelpan players who had just wrapped up rehearsals at the D’Urban Park and were also at the back of the truck.
When they began to unpack, the teen reportedly hopped out the truck and fell down; when the other students in the vehicle noticed, they began to hit the side of the truck to alert the driver, but that did not work, as that’s the same signal that he would receive to reverse.
The government expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to Scipio’s family.
“It is with deep regret that His Excellency President David Granger and the Government of Guyana learned of the tragic passing of Richard Ishmael student and member of the Pan Wave Steel Orchestra, 14-year-old Kevin Scipio,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated in a press release.
“The President, Government and all Guyanese mourn his passing, which comes at a time when the nation is celebrating our 50th Independence Anniversary. The Government will immediately make available counselling services, through the Ministry of Social Protection for members of the band and the family of the late Kevin Scipio.”
The Ministry of the Presidency also expressed condolences to the members of the Pan Wave Steel Orchestra and the staff and students of the Richard Ishmael Secondary School.
Young Scipio was looking forward to his opportunity to participate with his peers in this significant observance.
According to mother of the teen, Alieka Davis, her son has been playing pan for the past two years and began to practise more often as the independence celebrations approached.
“His instructor called me after 10:00PM Tuesday night; I then rushed down to the hospital but he was already gone,” she noted.
Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry and officers of the Ministry of Education Wednesday morning visited and paid their respects to Ms. Alieka Davis.
The Ministry of Education has offered its support to the mother and family and extended its deepest regret at the passing of Kevon Scipio, especially as he was looking forward to participating in the Jubilee celebrations on Thursday, May 26.