The seven persons, including the driver of the minibus, Hensley Alleyne, who were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being involved in the horrific Saturday night accident at Nismes on the West Bank of Demerara are all said to still be in serious conditions.

Another four persons also remain admitted at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), Divisional Commander Simon McBean confirmed on Sunday. “At the end of the night 12 persons were regarded as serious, seven were transferred to the GPHC, four remained at the WRH, and one was treated and sent away,” McBean related.

Four persons, including a 12-year-old child died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident, which involved a minibus and a car. A total of 21 persons were confirmed to have been involved in the accident; 20 of which were in the 15 seater minibus, while 52 year old Rawle William, the driver of the car, was the only occupant of the car.

Those confirmed dead are: Williams, 29-year-old Ayesha Sealey of Patentia Housing Scheme; 12-year-old Maria Bisnauth, of Side Line Dam, Sister’s Village, WBD; and 22 year old Zavira Jona also of Patentia Housing Scheme, WBD. Bisnauth died while undergoing medical attention at WDRH.

According to reports, the minibus, BYY 2981, crashed into the car, PTT 691, a Toyota Preimio around 1900hrs as the latter was exiting the D&L Gas Station. Persons on the scene reported that the Route 31 minibus was heading north on the western carriageway, when the car exited the D&L Gas Station and ended-up in the minibus’ path as he attempted to turn south into the eastern carriageway.

The minibus is said to have been speeding.
The accident sent shockwaves throughout the country as the nation as it added to a series of road fatalities within the past week.

Commander McBean said on the West Bank the division has an active road safety programme and will be stepping up activities in the next few days. “We have identified our road traffic operations and there would be police along the roadway dealing with all aspects of the road issues. Drunk driving and speeding, those are two of the main things. We are doing daily exercises, yes there is a need for more and we are pushing ourselves to ensure that we have maximum presence on the road. We’ve been doing that daily,” McBean said.

He acknowledged that even as the police are trying to put measures in place in the Region they continue to face challenges, and more can be done. “With policing there is always room for improvement and we will continue to improve our service as the demand arises. At this time it requires some more initiative pushing forward and we will continue to do that,” he said.