THE father and daughter, Tamaldeo and Devina Heeraman of Bartica, injured in a motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of a policeman at Bartica last Sunday, are recovering favourably in Georgetown. The accident happened at 6th Street and Third Avenue, Bartica, around 2:30 hrs.

Both injured persons were admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) later in the day, suffering multiple injuries, but X-rays done showed no broken bones. Devina, 31, who sustained spinal and other injuries to the back, has been discharged and is continuing medication.

However, the 53-year-old Tamaldeo, who suffered head injuries, along with injuries to the back, a dislocated left shoulder and cuts on the forehead, is still warded at the Male Accident Ward of the GPHC. His condition was yesterday listed as stable, but he is still being monitored by doctors at the institution.

Tamaldeo and Devina were struck down by a bush truck laden with fuel consigned to a mining camp in the interior. The driver of the truck appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, witnesses said, and appeared not to see a crowd of people, including the now-deceased policeman, Delian Forde, who was investigating an accident which had occurred moments before.

The truck reportedly ploughed into the policeman, who, on being struck down, was pinned under the truck.

However, witnesses said that after the crowd dispersed and people had scampered to safety, the policeman was nowhere to be seen. Someone enquired, “Is wheh’ de policeman deh?” and immediately there was a stir. The cop was eventually found trapped under the truck.

The accident happened well after midnight, but residents say it is not unusual for ‘tipsy’ persons to be on the roadway at such hours, in a community abuzz with night activities, and knowing little sleep.

Constable Forde, 21, who hailed from Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Region Ten, was reportedly sleeping when he was awakened out of his bed by a friend to respond to the accident involving two motor vehicles. Within minutes of arriving on the scene, he was a dead man. 

Forde, who was on a tour of duty in the mining town, performed his regular guard duties at the offices of the Geology and Mines Commission in Bartica, and had completed duties for the week. This newspaper understands that Constable Forde, who was not aware that he was being transferred back to the city altogether, left Bartica and had already reached Parika when he received a message that he had been transferred back to the Tactical Services Headquarters, Eve Leary. Impulsively obeying orders from higher authorities, the young policeman, asked no questions, but immediately headed back to Bartica to pack and vacate the building he occupied.

It was his last night at Bartica and by 2:30 hrs, his sleep was interrupted. He was awakened to investigate a motor vehicular accident and never managed to complete that task. He was killed by the bush truck, which first hit a car parked at the side of the road then ploughed into him.

Later that morning, the rank that was identified to relieve Constable Forde, arrived at Bartica for the handover/take over, but learnt about the tragedy while on a speed boat to the location, and so realized that it could not be business as usual.