Police are investigating a accident that occurred Friday morning on Eight Mile Trail (Teperu), Bartica, which resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to others.
At approximately 06:45 hrs, a collision occurred between two vehicles: a motor pickup, GJJ 4867, driven by 45-year-old Faizal Husman from Four Miles Potaro Road, Bartica, and a motor lorry, GXX 6658, driven by 32-year-old Aubrey Ralph Gaskin of Grove, East Bank Demerara.
Gaskin’s lorry also carried two occupants, identified as Venish Sunnchan of Little Diamond and Shamar Henry of Tushen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.
According to police investigations, the lorry was travelling along the northern side of Eight Mile Trail at high speed, while the pickup, laden with barrels of fuel, was approaching from the opposite direction, also moving at a fast pace. The driver of the pickup reportedly lost control of the vehicle, leading to a head-on collision with the lorry.
The force of the impact caused the pickup to catch fire, trapping its driver inside. Meanwhile, Gaskin and his two passengers sustained various injuries.
Members of the public quickly came to their aid, extracting them from the lorry and placing them in a passing vehicle which transported them to the Bartica Regional Hospital for medical treatment.
Firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service were dispatched to the scene, where they successfully extinguished the blaze. The remains of the pickup driver, later identified as Faizal Husman, were retrieved from the wreckage and pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Regional Hospital.
Medical staff at the hospital attended to the three occupants of the lorry. Sunnchan was treated for a fractured right foot and discharged, while Gaskin received treatment for an abrasion on his right foot and was also sent away. Henry was admitted for further observation due to the extent of his injuries.
The driver of the lorry, Aubrey Gaskin, is currently in police custody and is assisting with the ongoing investigation into the incident.
