Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir on Thursday extended condolences to the family of the Mahaica accident victims, one of whom participated in the 2021 Youth Parliament.
According to the Speaker, 16-year-old Sheereda Persaud, of Bath, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was the Minister of Home Affairs during the Youth Parliament session.
“Yesterday there was a very horrific accident…on your behalf and my behalf, I extend our condolences to those who lost their lives and who were injured,” the Speaker said.
According to the Speaker, Persaud’s presentation at the Youth Parliament was on road safety.
A clip of her speech was published on social media and Persaud was heard pleading with road users to follow the law.
“We call on all drivers, roads users and citizens to not only obey the law but to also be considerate of their own lives and the lives of those around them,” the young woman had said in her Parliament debate.
The teen and her boyfriend, 20-year-old Christopher Bhagwandat lost their lives in the horrific accident on Wednesday at the Mahaica Bridge, East Coast Demerara.
Her boyfriend was driving motorcar PNN 8852 when he was stopped by traffic ranks along the Perseverance Public Road, Mahaicony, Region Five. Reports indicate that Bhagwandat was asked to pull over by the ranks and while he appeared to do so, he instead, drove away.
As a result, a police patrol in motor van attached to the Mahaicony Police Station gave chase behind the young man and his girlfriend.
While approaching the Mahaica Bridge, the police vehicle and Bhagwandat’s car were adjacent during which the young man allegedly cornered the police, resulting in a head-on collision with canter truck GJJ 9151 which was proceeding in the opposite direction.
The truck flipped on the side before crashing into another car, a fielder wagon PAB 8222.
Several other persons were injured in the accident including three police officers.
It remains unclear why Bhagwandat was stopped by the police. He was a mechanic who resided at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Beauty and Brains all snuffed out for nothing. This young lady was only starting life and had the world in front of her. There was no reason at all for this accident other than the incurable disease known as human chupidity!