Families of 2010 Berbice accident still in pain

THIS week we will continue to share the stories of the hurt and pain family members continue to experience from October 29, 2010, which took the lives of 12 persons on the Corentyne highway.

Those left behind continue to suffer and are haunted by that tragedy which remains fresh in their minds as they await justice.
It is still unimaginable to relatives that the man responsible for taking these lives, did not even spend a few weeks in jail and is still allowed the privilege of driving on the country’s roadways with no remorse.

NOT THE SAME
The world became colder and lonelier for Salina Juman’s three children after she died. The woman who was working above and beyond at the Port Mourant Hospital to make ends meet and support her children was suddenly gone. At a young age, the eldest sibling, Shaneza, quickly took her mother’s place for her two siblings.

“I had a little sister to take care of and a brother who shut me out because she was his best friend and so, I didn’t know how to go comfort them or what to say. My dad tried but he is not the mother it was hard; unto now it’s hard,” she said.
To ease the pain they developed their own coping mechanisms and kept their mother’s love forever imprinted in their hearts.

“Sometimes we just pretend that it was the accident but she’s not gone but we just can’t find her. We don’t keep that thought that she is gone, you live with her but you just don’t see but she’s there,” she said.

The Friday that Salina left home, she had borrowed money to travel to work which was a reflection of her dedication to providing for her children.

TRYING TO BE STRONG
A mother’s worst fear confronted her after learning she would be burying her son. Harriett Collins lost her son, Orlando DeMattos who was just 30-years-old at the time. She did her best to remain strong for her grandchildren and daughter-in-law but became feeble after her son was laid to rest. Her pain is like no other but she will continue to represent her son until her last breath.
Remembering the good times and thoughtful person Orlando was, is bittersweet for the elderly mother.

“He would also help to provide for me…I just can’t explain because if I tell you how I feel, I’ve grown him up without a father, so somedays when things hard it hurts more,” the mother said. “When the children come and visit me it’s a fountain of tears. I don’t sleep and that man is free walking and has nothing to say- never give us anything to help with those children.”

Collins insists that justice must be given to the families who are made to suffer twice since the perpetrator is yet to face any serious consequences.

Orlando’s wife, Marci, was forced to leave Berbice after her husband’s demise in search of work to sustain her three children, even though her family did their best to help. Her eldest son has not recovered from the ordeal and refuses to allow or engage in any conversation that would bring back the memories of his late father, while her youngest who was just one year old, only knows his father from the pictures shown to him.

“That same year we were planning to build our house but everything just fell apart,” she said.

ONLY MEMORIES
Chinma Subryane’s only daughter was taken in the accident. She has framed pictures of her daughter and decorated most of her home with them which brings her some amount of comfort.

Her daughter, Patricia Asgarally, was 28 and worked at the Ophthalmology Centre at Port Mourant when she died. She has left her three sons, Darrien, Aaron and Brian to mourn.
“Unto today me nah alright, especially when I look at the children them. If my daughter was alive I would have been home for her to take care of me, how I had this surgery,” Subryane said.

Abu Bakr Razac and Ameena’s daughter were expected to migrate to Canada days after the accident and shared her excitement with those close to her about beginning this new phase.

“The devastating effects of the loss of a child are such that it cannot be explained. Only those who experience it will understand, so the effects are still there. Although we were promised counselling there was nothing that was forthcoming to date,” Razac said.
Salmaa was 23 and worked at Nand Persaud Communications at Tain. She was on her way home from a hard day’s work when she died.

“The happiest day again in my life is when I reach back with her and I know that one day I will, because I believe in God and with him is the real justice. I always beg for patience and I pray that I will be able to cope with my life until the end, till I reach with God where I will have my reward,” the sad mother related.

Nazarudin Mahinudin was also returning from work when he met his death. He was described as an ambitious young man who was constantly looking for ways to better himself.

The man’s mother, according to his father, passed away a few years after Nazarudin’s demise. The elder Mahinudin said his wife was treated numerous times for her nerves and died heartbroken, even though she tried to overcome the experience of burying her child.

Franklin Baker said his sister, Janet ‘Pearly’ Baker, joined the bus to go to work at Lucky House Restaurant in New Amsterdam. He said the bus had picked up his sister and then dropped off two schoolchildren. It crashed less than half-a-mile away from her home.
“We need justice in this matter because it’s been seven years now and, it’s not about money it’s about justice.”

JUSTICE TO BE SERVED
Oduit Babulall was the driver of the minibus involved in the fatal accident. His wife, Ashwantie Singh, was the conductress and a survivor. She remembers her husband for the kind and hardworking man he was.

Next week you will hear from the survivors involved in this accident who will share the story from their eyes, to help us better understand what really happened that day.
Most of them have been trying their best to cope with that incident but are often in tears when they remember that day and the ones they lost.