Two die as truck slips off bridge, lands in creek 25 feet below

An accident on the Lethem Trail Road, North Rupununi, in the vicinity of Canopy Bridge, on Monday claimed the lives of two persons.

Dead are the driver Orlando King, a 29-year-old from North Rupununi, and occupant of the truck, Orin Fraser of Tucville, Georgetown.

Police Headquarters revealed that King was driving lorry, GXX 5420 north along the trail and while crossing a wooden bridge, the truck slipped off and fell into the creek, which is about 25 feet below.

Police said the boards on the bridge were reportedly rotten.

The truck became submerged, trapping the driver and occupant in the cabin. Both men were pulled from the cabin by public-spirited citizens and Police ranks in an unconscious state.

They were placed in a Police Pickup and escorted to Annai Health Center, where they were pronounced dead.

The bodies were escorted to Lethem Regional Hospital’s Mortuary.