The driver of the route Number 441 (South) minibus which crashed on Norton Street en route to the Stabroek bus park on Saturday, seriously injuring himself and ten others, succumbed around 14:00 hrs yesterday, at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dead is Seon Caesar, 35 of 3419 Stevedore Housing Scheme, son of Alan and Ann Caesar and father of three.
His distraught mother, still in a state of shock when the Guyana Chronicle visited her home yesterday, confirmed the tragic news, adding that he succumbed after putting up a desperate struggle for life.
Seon, the owner of the minibus involved in the accident which claimed his life, had previously contracted a driver to operate the vehicle, while he drove his private car. However, his mother recalled, he began driving the bus about two months ago, and took on the responsibility of transporting stocks needed for a mini shop the elderly couple operate at their home.
The elderly couple said they were shocked on receiving the news of the accident on Saturday afternoon, and deeply distraught over the extent of the injuries suffered. They were also compassionate over the injuries suffered by the other persons on board the vehicle, and are praying for the recovery of the others injured.
Meanwhile, survivors of the accident related that around 17:15 hrs, as Caesar was driving his bus west along Norton Street, on a return trip to the Stabroek bus park, he was overtaking a motor vehicle, when he came right up on another coming in the opposite direction.
He attempted veering aside, but the road being very narrow, his vehicle hit the car, was sent flying through the air, toppling several times. The bus eventually ended up in a nearby yard.
Witnesses recalled commuters were sent flying out of the door and windows of the vehicle as it toppled. In the frenzy, as the bus came to a halt, persons rushed the victims in their vehicles to the hospital.