Schoolgirl dies in Goed Fortuin accident involving police pickup

A 12-year-old student of the West Demerara Secondary school, Kayla Barnabas, died after she was struck down by a police pickup when attempting to cross the Goed Fortuin Public road on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) on Wednesday.

Police headquarters reported that the pickup driven by a police corporal, with number plate GXX 6575, was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road. It is alleged that the child reportedly ran from east to west across the road in the path of the pickup.

The driver reportedly swerved west to avoid a collision but the front of the vehicle still collided with the schoolgirl.

Subsequently, she was placed in a motor vehicle in an unconscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Police Headquarters reported that CCTV cameras will be reviewed to determine whether the driver was speeding but it was noted that the police vehicle was transporting prisoners at the time with the use of sirens.

The police corporal is under close arrest and he tested negative for alcohol in his system.