Written by Leroy Smith
MINISTER within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill and four others, including two state media workers, yesterday escaped serious injury when the Surf pickup they were travelling in skidded off a wet road near Arima in Region 10, toppling thrice before landing on its side.

Along with Edghill, the other occupants of the vehicle were the driver Geary Low, Government Information Agency (GINA) communications officer Synieka Thorne, National Communications Network (NCN) cameraman Keiron Campbell, and another man who, up to press time, was not identified but was said to be a Region 10 official.

This newspaper was informed that the minister was heading to conduct several outreaches in communities along the Berbice River and the media workers were accompanying him to provide coverage.
Thorne told Guyana Chronicle that the driver was speeding along the pebbles strewn road when he was asked by the regional official to reduce his speed and take his time on the roadway. The road was wet this publication was also informed.

The communications officer also stated that before the accident the vehicle skidded while heading around a turn and the driver was cautioned about his driving.  She said that as they were about to go around another turn the vehicle skidded and the driver lost control causing the vehicle to topple.
Asked if she thought that she was going to die, the GINA employee smiled and responded in the negative. She received injuries to her shoulder and also had hit her head and feet in the accident.
Meanwhile, Campbell did not speak much about the accident and appeared to be a bit shaken by the experience.  He only told this newspaper that he injured his hand while attempting to pull the minister out of the wreck. Yesterday his right hand was bandaged.
The Chronicle was informed that following the accident, a passing vehicle stopped and offered assistance to the minister and the rest of the crew who were stranded along the trail.

Following the accident yesterday morning, the injured persons were transported to the Ogle International Airport via Air Services Limited and touched down at 12.40 hrs after the Guyana government chartered a flight to get the minister and team out of the area.
The minister was received at the airport by his son and driver while the other injured persons were placed in another vehicle and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital along with the minister.
The injured persons were met by a doctor upon arrival at the GPH and they were immediately taken into the Accident and Emergency Unit  where they were treated.
In an invited comment the minister said that first and foremost he and the other passengers at the time were happy that they came out alive and were able to be on their feet following the accident.
Edghill said that the visit to the hospital was a precautionary measure. He said that his primary focus was to ensure that the other persons who were in the vehicle at the time were receiving the medical attention they needed.
In recalling the journey yesterday, the government minister said that the accident occurred approximately five minutes outside of Arima in Region 10. The outreaches were to be conducted in the villages of De Veldt, Sand Hills and Karuni.
The minister would not entertain any questions about the extent of damage to the vehicle but would only say that his primary concern was the persons who were in the vehicle as people come first, then material things.
He said that his aches and pains came from his back, neck and feet while describing the incident as traumatic.
Speaking with this newspaper at the GPH yesterday, the driver of the vehicle said that it was the first time he was driving to the area and the road was new to him.
Meanwhile, in a press statement sent out by the minister after receiving medical attention, he expressed thanks to the Guyanese people for their kind words and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
The minister said that yesterday’s incident was an unfortunate one that could have been fatal but they experienced divine protection.
Thanks were also expressed to the Bauxite Company of Guyana, Office of the President and staff of the Ministry of Finance and the Georgetown Public Hospital.