THREE PERSONS died in two separate accidents yesterday, even as Guyanese are being warned to take extra care on the roadways, in particular on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway where today will be a hive of activity with the staging of Jamzone at the Splashmin’s Fun Park.
Dead are Christopher Crawford, 20, of Mahaica Village, East Coast, Demerara; Christopher Benjamin, 53, of Kairuni, on the Linden/Seosdyke Highway, and an unidentified man.
The first accident, which occurred early yesterday morning on Mandela Avenue aback the Botanic Gardens, involved two vehicles, and resulted in the death of Crawford and the drivers of both vehicles being so badly injured they both had to be hospitalized.
The other accident, which claimed the life of Benjamin and the unidentified man, occurred at Kairuni on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway at around 16:10h and involved a blue Scarlet Turbo motor car, PLL 9021, driven by one Elton George.
According to reports on the first incident, Crawford reportedly left his home for an evening out with friends and was a passenger in a Toyota Allex, PLL 6787, when he met his demise.
Reports are that the vehicle in which Crawford was travelling, which was allegedly being driven by a teenager, and another motor car were, prior to the accident, observed travelling south along Mandela Avenue. Both vehicles were said to be speeding.
Crawford died when the Toyota Allex collided with a CRV vehicle, number PHH 2814 belonging to John Fernandes Limited and driven by one Shawn Gonsalves.
Ranks of the Fire Service, on arrival on the scene of the accident, were reportedly forced to cut open the door of the Toyota Allex to get to Crawford who was reportedly pinned in the car.
The condition of both Gonsalves and the young driver is listed as serious but not critical.
George, 37, of Lot `A’ Bent Street, Wortmanville was said to be heading up to Linden to collect his mother, who was attending a funeral there.
Travelling with him were Don `Country’ Walcott of 112  First Alley, Hill Foot, Wismar, who occupied the front  passenger seat; Keon Monah, 29, of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, who occupied the seat immediately behind him; and the unidentified man, of African descent,  who was seated immediately behind Walcott.
Reports are that in the vicinity of Kairuni, George lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to negotiate a turn. Before careening off the road and ending up in a gorge, the vehicle reportedly  turned turtle several times, which is how it came to hit Benjamin who was passing by at the time.
Walcott reportedly tried to take control of the steering wheel, saying it was better he had been driving the vehicle.
Monah, who was sleeping when the accident occurred, Walcott and George were all rushed to the Linden Hospital, but Walcott, who sustained severe injuries to his eyes and hands, was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
George and Monah remain patients in Linden.