Uitvlugt man, 51, dies after hit by minibus

Nicholas Khelawon, a 51-year-old resident of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), died early Tuesday morning after he was struck down by a speeding minibus that allegedly attempted to avoid hitting a motor car.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, reported that the incident occurred around 03:19 hrs along the Uitvlugt Public Road.

Khelawon was struck down by minibus (#BZZ 1192), which was driven by a 29-year-old man. The bus had five occupants: four teenagers and a 20-year old.

The minibus was reportedly proceeding east along the Uitvlugt Public Road at a fast rate. The driver alleged that a motor car (number plate unknown) made a sudden ‘U turn’ in a south to north direction, forcing him (the minibus driver) to swerve right to avoid a collision.

Consequently, the bus collided with Khelawon who was standing on the southern grass parapet alongside the road.

Khelawon reportedly fell onto the road surface, where he received injuries to his body. The minibus driver and occupants also received injuries to their bodies as a result of the collision.

The pedestrian was then picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited persons at the scene and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital along with the driver and occupants. He was seen and examined by a doctor, who pronounced him dead.

The minibus driver was treated and sent away. The driver is, however, in custody, assisting with the investigation. The occupants of the minibus were admitted to the Leonora Hospital for observation.

The body of the deceased was escorted to Ezekiel Funeral Home for storage and is awaiting an autopsy.