2 men found dead in overturned pick-up in drain along Eccles-to-Ogle bypass

Two men were found dead in a pickup which overturned and submerged in a concrete drain along the Henry Public Road (Eccles-to-Ogle Bypass), East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Sunday morning. Dead are 38-year-old Brian Sookram of Lot 3 Crown Dam, Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was the driver of motor pickup GRR 5251 and 35-year-old Leon Sookdeo of Lot 998 Diamond New Scheme, EBD, who was a passenger.

According to preliminary investigations, the pickup was discovered turned turtle in a concrete drain on the southern side of the roadway. The drain, estimated to be about 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep, contained water and dense vegetation. Police said the vehicle was removed by a tow truck in the presence of investigators, during which the bodies of both men were found motionless inside. The scene was examined by ranks from Regional Police Division 4B. The men were transported to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Their bodies were later taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Mortuary, where they are being stored pending post-mortem examinations (PME). Investigators also processed the scene and examined the vehicle. Police said efforts to locate CCTV footage and eyewitnesses were unsuccessful. The pickup has since been lodged at the SAGE Pond Police Outpost as investigations continue.