Baby, woman die in horrific bus accident on Linden-Soesdyke Highway

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

Two persons, including a six-week old baby, were killed Sunday afternoon when a bus ran off a bridge on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway into the Kairuni Creek, sources said.

The deceased were identified as 23-year old Anastacia Forde of Ituni and Taquaah Shepherd.

The baby’s parents- Sean Shepherd and Tenisha Victor- of Wismar and the minibus driver, Jewel Chapman, are among seven persons who were rushed to the Linden Hospital.

Victor said she was trying to exit the bus when the baby fell out of her hands into the creek.

Up to 9 O’clock Sunday night, the Guyana Police Force did not issue a statement on the accident.

But sources said the bus, BRR 6612, was heading to Georgetown when the driver attempted to overtake a car, PKK 9852, on a turn and was forced to avoid an oncoming vehicle. The bus hit the car that he was attempting to overtake and the driver lost control causing the bus to run off the bridge and plunge overboard in the creek.

Public spirited citizens rushed to rescue the passengers from the bus that was initially upside in the waterway.

The accident has raised concerns about the readiness of the Guyana Police Force to rescue persons from waterways along the highway where numerous serious accidents occur annually.

A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) parliamentarian, Vanessa Kissoon said the police force and fire services need to be in a state of readiness in case of such emergencies.

From her observation, she said none of the policemen there entered the water to assist in rescuing the accident victims.