Two adults were instantly killed and a two-year-old toddler succumbed moments later yesterday, when a minibus en route to Lethem and a Land Cruiser returning to Georgetown collided at Meerpizero, Region Nine, about 25 miles from Lethem. Thirteen others, including four Brazilians, were seriously injured and had to evacuated for emergency medical care – both to neighbouring Boa Vista, Brazil, and to Georgetown.

Among the dead were Jermain De Aguiar of Lethem – the driver of the minibus, a woman whose body was trapped in the minibus for a prolonged period following the accident, and a two-year-old boy. They were all Guyanese.

However, information coming out of Lethem said the infant who suffered severe head injuries and whose condition was listed as critical, necessitated almost immediate medical attention, and was transported to a hospital at Boa Vista, along with four other injured persons who were Brazilians. The baby succumbed to his injuries soon after.

Victims arrive at the Georgetown hospital after being flown to the Ogle Airport from the Rupununi.

Regional Executive Officer, Region Nine, Donald Gajraj, confirmed that the accident occurred around 9:30 hrs, and immediately as news reached the administration, swift emergency rescue action was mobilized. Police and paramedics were immediately dispatched to the scene, and contact made with Georgetown. The Ministry of Health dispatched two air charters from Ogle to Lethem, while the Guyana Defence Force Y12 aircraft on duty in the area at the time, was joined by a Roraima Airways craft which was also on the ground at Lethem.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian authorities were contacted and the Brazilian Ambassador from a nearby port immediately traveled across to Guyana and took the four injured Brazilians and Guyanese toddler to Boa Vista.

Gajraj said that about three Guyanese – all from Lethem who were less seriously hurt, were treated and admitted to the Lethem Hospital. It is not clear how many persons were injured from the land cruiser. However, the impact felt in that vehicle was not so severe, he said, since they occupants were using air-bags and seat belts.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, who travelled to the Ogle Airstrip to witness the arrival of the flights ferrying the injured, said that it was a sad day for the families of those killed and injured. Noting that accidents such as these do bring much grief and pain to the families of those involved, she expressed profound sympathy to the bereaved relatives.