-NAREI employee dies in latest accident

By Vanessa Braithwaite
SEVERAL Linden stakeholders are calling on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to conduct urgent repairs to the Soesdyke-Linden Highway which has been deemed a death trap. This is a result of three road fatalities that occurred on the same spot within months. On Tuesday afternoon, 38-year-old employee of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Abeola Gomes, of Long Creek,Soesdyke- Linden Highway, was instantly killed after being hurled out of the toppling Honda CRV vehicle PTT 1325.
According to reports, driver of the vehicle Tyrone Phillips, also an employee of NAREI, lost control after the vehicle ended up on a slope on the road in close proximity to Bamia.
Another passenger of the vehicle, Latisha Lindore, was admitted to the Mackenzie Hospital but was discharged on Wednesday.
Two other persons died in a similar manner after the vehicle they were in toppled at the same slope. Taking this into consideration, Commander of’ E’ Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, on Wednesday called on the relevant authorities to conduct urgent repairs on the road since the slope is the main cause of accidents.
Additionally, President of the Region 10 Road Safety Organisation, Antonio Hackette, said the Regional Democratic Council has already requested from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for road signage to be made available for the Bamia area where there is a depression on the road.
Hackette said the signs, if placed, will notify drivers of the slope in the road, thus guiding their judgment.
“When these signs are made available we will install them at the RDC because this is the third accident within months at that direct spot and we need to do something fast about it,” Hackette said.
Also calling for urgent repairs on the highway, are drivers plying the Linden to Georgetown route. William Babb, a car driver, told this publication that the slope in the road is very dangerous and if a driver is not cognizant of the road, he or she has a high chance of toppling.
“That hole on the left side of the road at Bamia there, if you in know it there it would topple yah vehicle especially at nights, they need to do something about the hole,” Babb lamented.
Regional Councillors at September’s statutory meeting also made calls for the highway to be repaired, and to be provided with signage, road markings and lights. The councillors described the highway as a death trap, especially while driving at nights. Councillor Charles Sampson declared the highway a crying shame that needs urgent attention.
“You see the Soesdyke-Linden Highway? It’s a shame; the road ain’t got nothing! If it’s raining and you coming through that highway in the night, it’s just God’s mercy that does bring you through that highway!”
The Soesdyke-Linden Highway, which connects Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) to 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), was constructed to the tune of close to US$17M in 1966, but was formally opened in 1969.
It was rehabilitated on several occasions, but a recent feasibility study has shown that the noticeable number of lumber trucks that traverse it on their way to the interior has weakened its foundation.