Two dead, several injured in minibus crash

Georgetown: Two persons died Sunday morning following a minibus crash on the Success Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead are 59-year-old Patricia Ellis of Haslington, ECD died who succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital while receiving medical attention and Denise Culley, 58, a mother of three, of 89 Vigilance, ECD who died on the spot after her arm was severed.

The minibus driver claimed that a blue motorcar collided with his left rear wheel causing him to lose control and collide with the median in the center of the road.

As a result, Culley, a vendor was flung out of the minibus and ended up on the northern carriageway. The minibus then landed on Culley’s body and skidded for some distance before it came to a halt.

The vehicle was turned over and the lifeless body of Culley was removed.

Ellis was among other passengers who were picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed.

The other passengers are said to be conscious awaiting treatment, suffering from laceration about their bodies.

Police said the driver is in custody assisting with investigations. However, eyewitnesses earlier related that the driver escaped the scene while another person turned himself over to the police.

The bus, BTT 4910 was driven by a 47-year old man who lives at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara.

Those injured are Jaden Miffatt, 7, a student of Golden Grove Primary School; police constable Laffanna Williams, 22, of lot 175 Haslington; June Abel, 60, of 8 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; Wayne Blair, 38, of 38 Fernandes Street, Golden Grove, and 17-year old Jordon Beaton of Golden Grove.

Police were told that the minibus was speeding west along the southern drive lane of the southern carriageway of the Success Public Road at about 7:30 am.