Eye-witnesses say driver attempted to flee the scene

Dead: Ricky Kumar Dead: Amisha Alli

DEEP mourning and shock engulfed relatives and friends of two young children who were killed yesterday afternoon by a car which was allegedly speeding on the Tuschen Highway, East Bank Essequibo.

The tragedy occurred when the wagon PLL 6744, proceeding east along the public road, slammed into the children who were pedestrians at the time.

As a result of the impact, 12-year-old Amisha Alli known as Elana, of 25 Railway View Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, and seven-year-old Ricky Kumar, of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, both lost their lives.

Alli and Kumar who were cousins and both students of the Islamic Academy, died instantaneously.

Eye witnesses and relatives confirmed that Alli’s head was severed.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited Alli’s home yesterday, the families were making preparations for the wake and funeral that will be held today.

Some of the relatives, especially the children’s grandmother, Mrs. Jumrattan Hack, who was walking with them when they were struck by the vehicle, were grief-stricken and appeared to be in complete denial.

In tears, Hack said she and her grandchildren were on their way to attend a religious function at the Tuschen Masjid.

Grandmother of the children, Jumrattan Hack (centre) weeps for her loved ones. (photo by Sonnel Nelson)

She said the road appeared to be clear when they started crossing but, as they were nearly over, the car came blazing through.

Hack said she loved her grandchildren dearly and they shared a very close relationship. “I don’t know how I will be able to see Amisha in that box tomorrow. I lost my husband and I miss him but I will miss them even more,” the woman cried. Kumar’s mother, Sunita Persaud, appeared too heartbroken to make any comment.

Trying to control her tears, Alli’s mother, Sabita Azeez, said that she could not understand the action of the driver who caused the death of her daughter and nephew.

Azeez is of the opinion that her loved ones’ lives could have been saved had the driver not been speeding. “People’s lives have value,” she exclaimed.

She said, because school is out, Kumar was spending time at their home with his cousins.

One of the persons who witnessed the accident, Mr. Sookram Sookdeo, said that the vehicle was speeding which caused the children to be hurled a number of yards away from the point of impact.

He didn’t seem to apply no brakes or anything. He was speeding. In no way could he have saved those children,” Sookdeo said.

According to him, the driver of the wagon did not stop to inquire about the seriousness of the accident, but he proceeded to drive away from the scene.

Another eye witness, who prefers to remain anonymous, related that the driver attempted to flee the scene but was pursued and caught at Den Amstel by public spirited citizens.

The woman said he was taken to the Leonora Police Station where he is assisting with investigations.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said last night that two elderly persons were killed in a road accident at Friendship on the East Bank Demerara.

“We all have to work towards a solution that is just, a solution that recognises the need for the developed world to support developing countries big and small, so that they can get on a sustainable pathway towards limiting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere without affecting the future prosperity of their people,” President Jagdeo said. (GINA)