A FORMER trainee nurse attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) died early Sunday morning after being involved in a vehicular accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Dead is 29-year-old Simon Paul of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, who, according to reports, was at the wheel of the Toyota Premio, PVV 9105, when he ran into motor lorry, GSS 5346.

Paul was reportedly headed to Georgetown and the lorry to Linden when the accident occurred, near Yarrowkabra, at around 00:30hrs Sunday.

According to a police source, “The car was proceeding north along the western side of the road at a fast rate and as the car was about to pass the lorry on the eastern side of the road, the front right side of the car collided with the right side of the lorry causing the accident.”

The driver of the lorry and a porter, both of whom were found unconscious at the scene of the accident, were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, East Bank Demerara, where they were examined by a doctor and discharged.

Paul, who was also unconscious when help arrived, was taken to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body has since been taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour.

His mother, Ms Rundall Paul, she said the last she saw her son was when he left home on Saturday morning. As was his habit, she said, he left around 07:30hrs to go about his business.

She said she only learnt of his demise on Sunday when two police ranks broke the news to the family.

She’d always remember him fondly, she said. “He was a very loving and pleasant child; he was always willing to help whoever came into contact with him.”

So, too, will his GPHC batch-mates with whom he studied. “He was one of the kindest, coolest, down-to-earth male nurses I’ve ever known,” one posted on Facebook. “He would give his last dollar when asked… You will b sure missed, my friend. One thing for sure, God always takes the best. RIP, my friend. I still can’t believe you’re gone.”

Simon, who, since leaving the GPHC, has been into block-making, leaves to mourn his mother, three sisters and a brother.