A HIRE car driver on the Essequibo Coast escaped unhurt after his car ended up in a roadside trench after he swerved to avoid a collision with a donkey on the Mainstay Public Road on Saturday.

According to reports, the driver was proceeding south on the eastern carriage way of the Mainstay Public Road when he took action to avoid colliding with a stray donkey that ran across the road and ended up in the trench.

Two passengers who were in the car were also thanking their lucky stars for escaping unhurt. Following the incident, President of the Essequibo Mini Bus and Hire Car Association, Mohamed Nazmul, issued a call for the Anna Regina Town Council to revive efforts to rid the roadways of stray animals.