Driver, passenger killed in Mahaicony crash after overtaking attempt

Two people have died following a crash involving a car that struck a roadside rail and a utility pole along the East Coast of Demerara, police said.

The victims were identified as Seerochanie Khemraj of Tuchen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, and driver Nicklas Lillah.

Police said the incident occurred around 18:45h on Friday along the Huntly Public Road, Mahaicony. Lillah was driving hire car HD 5859 eastward with five passengers: Khemraj (who died), a 14-year-old female, a 17-year-old female and two males aged 14 and 12 – all from Tuchen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

According to investigators, the vehicle was travelling at a high speed and overtook a line of traffic. During the manoeuvre, it clipped the rearview mirror of another vehicle, PAN 2760, which was proceeding in the same direction.

The driver continued before losing control while negotiating a sharp bend near Airy Hall Public Road. The car struck an aluminium rail and then a Guyana Power and Light utility pole.

Lillah, and Khemraj (who was seated in the front passenger seat), sustained severe head and body injuries. They were pulled from the wreckage by a passer-by and taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The four other occupants were also taken to hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and admitted.