– mercifully, there were no fatalities
THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was a hive of activity last evening as doctors were torn between tending to victims of a three-vehicle smashup on the East Coast, a stabbing in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and a robbery cum shooting at Peter’s Hall, on the East Bank Demerara.

Delroy Downer at the GPHC last night. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

More than eight persons suffered various injuries when a truck and two minibuses collided at Paradise, some 13 miles from the city on the East Coast Demerara, shortly after18:00hrs yesterday.

Then Peters Hall grocer, Deowan Roshan, had to be rushed to the theatre for emergency surgery after being shot by bandits while tending his shop. Reports are the incident occurred around 18:30hrs yesterday, and that the intent was robbery.

Roshan was reportedly shot with his own gun during the robbery. Remarkably, his mother, who was in the shop with him when the bandits struck, was not harmed.

His condition was listed as “stable but critical” at press time.

Meanwhile, relatives were heard loudly beseeching God to spare the life of 17-year-old Delroy Downer of North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was stabbed a short distance from his home last night during a fight with another villager.

He was reportedly knifed in the chest and shoulder by one Dwayne Primo, who has since gone into hiding.

Peter’s Hall resident, Deowan Roshan as he was being taken to the theatre at the GPHC (Photo by Adrian Narine)

The fight stemmed from a misunderstanding on Friday night, when Downer was almost knocked off his feet by the suspect who was riding a bicycle.

Downer reportedly expressed his displeasure at Primo’s recklessness, which so incensed his assailant he threatened he would get even with him.
Downer’s brother-in-law, Jermaine Smartt, 21, who was injured while trying to part the two combatants, told the Guyana Chronicle that only minutes before the incident occurred he was chatting with Downer on a horse cart in front of their house, but had left to go inside.

“Soon after,” Smartt said, “I heard Delroy screaming; I ran out and saw the two in a heated fight. I tried to break the fight up, but had to restrain myself when the suspect produced a knife.”

Smartt displayed two stab wounds on his hand and stomach he sustained in his peacemaker attempt. He said he realised Downer was hurt when he heard him cry out in pain and saw the suspect ran away.

Downer was rushed to the Public Hospital where he was being treated while anxious relatives waited outside the institution for word of his condition. He too was listed as critical at press time.