THE regional authorities in Bartica are putting systems in place to ensure students are transported safely to and from school, following Wednesday evening’s accident in the area.
Several students who attend school in the town are hospitalised following a boat accident involving a ‘David G’ boat in the vicinity of River’s View, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) on Wednesday evening.

Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford told the Guyana Chronicle that the regional boats will temporarily fill the gap as another boat is sourced to replace the “David G”. Bradford said that while the boat was damaged, its engine is intact.
The boat captain, Akeem Williams who is also hospitalised and is in a stable condition, told education officials that the operating cable for the boat “cut” and as such he was unable to stop the boat in a timely manner.

Hence, he was forced to swerve from colliding into the stelling at Rivers View and as a result the boat ran aground on the river bank and all occupants were hurled from the vessel. Detective Corporal Kester Cosbert who visited the patients during the time of the education team’s visit, took a statement from Williams. He said statements will be taken from the students in the presence of their parents.
He said the students who usually utilise the service attend schools in Bartica, including the Bartica Secondary School and the Three Miles Secondary. On Thursday, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson visited the three students who are now patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital following the boat mishap.

Those injured are Iola Thornhill, 14, Cleveloyd Edmonds, 15, and Sheniele Maschette, 16. Their conditions have been listed as stable.

During the visit to offer moral support, the Minister and CEO were apprised by medical officials of the students’ diagnosis and prognosis related to their injuries.
A team of senior officers from the Ministry of Education also visited the hospital to ascertain the medical condition of the injured persons. That team was headed by the Chief Education Officer who was accompanied by Owen Pollard, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary); Juneann Gonsalves, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary); Glenna Vyphius, Chief Schools Welfare Officer; Onika Pearson, Senior Schools Welfare Officer and Brushell Blackman, Senior Public Relations Officer.

During that visit officers interacted with Dr. Khan who indicated that all the patients were in a stable condition and that the two female students may be discharged from the hospital by Friday March 16. President David Granger on Wednesday evening visited the four injured persons at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the GPHC. He instructed that an investigation be launched into the accident. Additionally, the Head-of-State has committed to providing the necessary assistance to aid the recovery process of the injured persons.