Mother of 5 dies in Mandela accident; motorcyclist critical

A 42-year-old woman died on Wednesday and a motorcyclist is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital after they were struck off their motorcycle on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.

Dead is Odessa Sam of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, a mother of five. Police Headquarters in a statement revealed that Sam was the pillion rider on motorcycle (CH 1099) when it failed to stop at the junction of Mandela and Critchlow Avenues and collided with a motor jeep (PSS 7007).

The motorcyclist was identified as Wendel Oudkerk, of Lamaha Springs, Georgetown, while the jeep was being driven by Nadia Mohamed.

Police reported that Oudkerk is in a serious condition in the critical bay of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Police said he suffered injuries to the head. The accident occurred just about 15:20hrs.

According to the police report, Mohamed was proceeding west along the northern drive lane of the southern carriageway of Mandela Avenue while Oudkerk was proceeding north along Critchlow Avenue.

“It is alleged that the driver of the motorcycle, on approaching the junction of Nelson Mandela and Critchlow Avenue, failed to stop and proceeded to cross the road going from south to north, in a bid to proceed onto the northern carriageway at an opening between the median,” the police report stated.

However, he ended up colliding with Mohamed, resulting in him and Sam being flung onto the road.

The police said that Oudkerk was wearing a helmet while Sam was not.

“It is unknown if the motorcyclist is a holder of a provisional or driver’s license,” the police said.

Oudkerk was picked up in a semi-conscious state by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), placed into an ambulance and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Sam was transported to the hospital in a police vehicle and pronounced dead.

Her body is currently lying at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination.

Meanwhile, a notice of intended prosecution was served to Mohamed. Police said she tested negative for alcohol on her breath and remains in custody assisting with investigations.