POLICE are investigating a fatal road traffic accident that claimed the life of 54-year-old Shawn Gittens on Wednesday afternoon along the Haslington Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara.

Gittens, an unemployed resident of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, was reportedly struck by a motor lorry that was reversing while engaged in paving works on the southern carriageway.

The accident occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. and involved a motor lorry owned by China Railway Construction and driven by a 36-year-old Chinese national of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

According to preliminary investigations, the lorry was carrying out work in the area when the vehicle began reversing. Gittens reportedly walked behind the lorry and was struck.

Emergency Medical Technicians responded to the scene, where Gittens was examined and subsequently pronounced dead by a doctor attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

His body was later transported to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police have served the driver with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. He remains in custody and is assisting investigators with the ongoing probe.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are continuing.