MANY people were shocked yesterday after it was confirmed that former Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and a 10-year-old child, Shaffiya Jamaluddin, were killed in a three-vehicle collision on Harlem Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The tragedy occurred about 09:10hrs as the recently retired Top Cop was driving his motor vehicle, PLL 7411. It is reported that it veered into the lane of car PJJ 4812, which was proceeding in the opposite direction, resulting in a head-on collision between PLL 7411 and Bakewell Canter truck, number GJJ 9067, which was behind motor car PJJ 4812.
Following the crash, Greene and Amaluddin, of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, who was in PJJ 4812, suffered injuries and were pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).
Victor Persaud, 35, of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, who was driving the canter and two porters on it were also injured. They were all taken to the WDRH but only Persaud was admitted, while the other two were treated and sent away.
Meanwhile, Raheem Kaleem, 45, who was at the wheel of PJJ 4812 along with the other occupants, Reeaz Kaleem, 18, Fawaaz Kaleem, 15, Shaimoon Kaleem, 46, and Zaitoon Hoosein, 26, all of Canefield, were also taken to the WDRH. Shaimoon Kaleem was treated and sent away while the others remained patients.
During the continuing investigations, residents at the scene said Greene was pulled from his mangled white Land Cruiser, showing no obvious physical injuries but collapsed after a few minutes and was conveyed to the WDRH where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Harlem villagers told the Guyana Chronicle they heard the loud impact and, when they rushed out to enquire what had happened, they saw the smash-up and alerted others who helped free the injured persons who were trapped in the vehicles.
It was the Muslim Youth League of Guyana’s ambulance that first responded to the emergency and transported the injured.
Greene’s death follows on the heels of his mother’s earlier this year; as well as that of his colleague, another ex-Commissioner of Police, Laurie Lewis.

Public outcry
Greene, who was hospitalised several times for various ailments and was fingered in a rape scandal in 2011 had been forced into early retirement after a public outcry for him to step down from the helm of the GPF.
The 58-year-old, who was also a qualified Attorney-at-law, had become involved in mining and other businesses after a married mother of two alleged that he had raped her at a hotel last November when she sought his help in a police investigation, an allegation which he denied, claiming they had consensual sexual intercourse.
Greene was sent on leave and the High Court subsequently quashed rape charges against him.
In 2006, the United States had revoked Greene’s visa following drug-trafficking accusations which he had also refuted.
After news of Greene’s demise circulated, Director of Sports, Mr. Neil Kumar expressed condolences to his family and relatives.
He said, in a press release, that Greene was elected President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) on July 31, 2010, at a time when that organisation was experiencing severe managerial difficulties and was unable to carry out its mandate.
Greene used all his experience and put systems in place to ensure the proper and effective forward movement of the association, led by example, and motivated his executives to emulate his very high standards, Kumar said.
The Director added that Greene’s interest in the players was unquestionable and he encouraged them to be committed, dedicated and to strive for success at the highest levels.
“His concerns for the development of the players and the game were obvious in the implementation of attractive incentives for players and his presence at competitions.”

Working relationship
The release said Greene, as President of the GTTA, established a very close working relationship with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission, the corporate community, the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation and the International Table Tennis Federation.
He also promoted a family atmosphere among the GTTA executives, players, parents, coaches, fans and the public at large.
“He touched the lives of many with his democratic management style. He was a leader by example, committed to the cause and honest in his dealings. This stalwart will truly be missed by those with whom he came into contact,” Kumar said.
“The Guyana Table Tennis Association will definitely miss a President, father, mentor, friend and a leader of quality,” the release said.
It revealed that, just a few hours before his death, the Executive Body of the GTTA met, discussed and agreed on the activities for the remainder of the year, such as the National Tournament, the Inter-Organisation Teams Tournament, the Schools teams tournament, the Latin American Pre-Cadet Championship in Venezuela and the North American Championship in the United States as well as the hosting of the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Championships in July 2013.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission, too, tendered sincere condolences to Greene’s immediate and extended family, the GTTA, the sports fraternity and those to whom he would have been near and dear.
Under his presidency, the GTTA accomplished much, decentralising the game to many parts of the country, including Berbice, Essequibo Coast, Bartica, Linden, West Demerara, Mahdia, East and West Bank Demerara.
Distribution of tables to schools in various areas, Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 10, Georgetown and the University of Guyana (Turkeyen and Berbice); resuscitation of the National Schools Teams Tournament, the Inter- Organisation Teams Championship and the National Championships.
The GTTA was awarded the Most Improved Sports Association and Best Association of the Year, introduced the Umpire ITTF Basic Coaching Course and training programmes for players overseas, organised a number of level one coaching courses while increasing and strengthening the local training base.