Walk, concert mark World Remembrance of accident victims
THE Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department, on Sunday, led a walk, followed by a concert for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. GNRSC Chairman Surrendra Khayyam told the Guyana Chronicle that it is an annual event and added that the toll, for this year, so far, is 105.
He said walk/mini concert was geared to appeal to members of the public, who were given flyers, to be more road safety conscious.
Other walking participants were from the Red Cross, Mothers in Black, family members and relatives who lost loved ones as a result of road accidents and Community Policing Groups (CPGs).
Khayyam said the concert was made more realistic through songs, skits and other dramatic pieces performed at the junction of Sheriff Street and the Georgetown seawall, where a tent was erected to host the well attended show.
The police statistics said the 105 victims were killed in 96 road accidents in 2011 while, for the corresponding period last year, 108 died in 94 accidents.
The latest road victim was Bidwantee Cyril, 56, of Goed Fortuin Squatting Area, West Bank Demerara.
Police said, about 12:20hrs on Sunday, November 20, Cyril was walking along the roadway when she was struck from behind by minibus BKK 7237.
She was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where she, later, succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the minibus is in police custody assisting with the investigations.
On Saturday, a 34-year-old man, of Number Four Village, was killed on the Number Three Village Pubic Road, also at West Coast Berbice.
Azim Majeed was driving minibus BLL 285 when it is alleged that he strayed over into the lane of an oncoming motor lorry resulting in a collision.
As a result, Majeed and John Petam, 39, of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, who was driving the lorry, suffered injuries and were taken to Fort Wellington Hospital.
Petam was treated and sent away while Majeed was referred to the GPH where he succumbed.
Investigations into that accident are in progress.