Minibus plunges overboard at Meadow Bank turn
–two toddlers among 18 passengers on board

SOME 18 passengers, including two toddlers, escaped serious injury late yesterday when a Route 42 minibus plunged into the trench on the western side of the East Bank Demerara carriageway as the driver failed to negotiate the Meadow Bank turn.

Most of the passengers, along with the two toddlers, received minor injuries in the accident, which occurred at about 16:45hrs, and they were rushed to hospital to seek medical attention.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene, a large crowd had already gathered, and many public-spirited persons were seen assisting to rescue the passengers.
According to the owner of the minibus, BNN 7790, just yesterday she rented the bus to the driver, who has been identified only as Collis, and she cannot believe that the vehicle ended up overboard.
One of the passengers said the minibus, which was heading to Georgetown, was speeding along the East Bank Public Road and started to wobble in the vicinity of Providence.
Sensing that something was amiss, the man said he shouted to the driver to slow down as the bus approached the Banks Breweries turn at Meadow Bank, but the vehicle failed “to make the turn” and ended up in the trench.
Another passenger said she did not know what exactly happened, but she lost all her belongings, including groceries and a purse with money.

(By Asif Hakim)