ASHRAFAT Ali of 160 Manager’s Lane, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara was killed when his head was crushed by a lorry from which he had disembarked yesterday morning. The incident occurred at the Enmore Estate Road, East Coast Demerara, and the Guyana Chronicle was informed that the 55-year-old may have jumped from the lorry — contracted by GuySuCo to transport workers — while it was still in motion; or the driver of the lorry may have decided to reverse the vehicle after the man had disembarked.

Ashraft Ali had no children, had lived alone, and was said to have worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation for the past 30 years.

Speaking with this publication from the late Ali’s home, another brother, who give his only name as Ali, said he was at home when he got a call, at approximately 05:45 hrs on yesterday, informing him of his brother’s death.
He said he quickly telephoned his other siblings, who hurried to the scene; and when he got there, he noticed his brother’s brain matter littering the roadway, although his body had already been removed.
Ali said he received two different accounts of what had really transpired, either of which, if true, could render the lorry driver culpable for his brother’s death.

Ali said he had worked with GuySuCo and is well aware of the standard operating procedures, as those are stated in the company’s safety practices — all lorry drivers should ensure the safety of all passengers before moving their vehicles.

He said that safety regulations mandate the drivers to check and ensure that workers are in no danger of coming into contact with the vehicles after workers would have disembarked those vehicles.

The man admitted that he and his brother did not share a cordial brotherly relationship, but he said he feels for his brother, and the death is already affecting him. He said the family had already lost three sisters, and now his brother is also dead.