Two days after a crash along the West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Public Road left him critically injured, 42-year-old horse racing trainer Carlton Pluck has died, leaving behind a grieving family, who is now calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Pluck succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday after being hospitalised in critical condition following Sunday’s crash.
According to the Police, the crash occurred on Sunday about 11:00h on the No 22 Bel Air Public Road, West Coast Berbice, involving motor cars PJJ 94 and PAP 2877.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that Pluck was driving motor car PJJ 94 east along the northern drive lane of the public road at an allegedly fast pace when the accident occurred.
While negotiating a right bend, he reportedly attempted to overtake a line of traffic and collided head-on with motor car PAP 2877, which was travelling west along the southern drive lane.
Motor car PAP 2877 was being driven by a 33-year-old of Bermine Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Two other passengers, a 37-year-old of the Glasgow Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, and a 33-year-old, also of New Amsterdam, were in the vehicle at the time.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged in the collision, resulting in injuries also to the driver of PAP 2877 and his passengers.
Pluck was initially taken to the Bath Regional Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he remained unconscious while being treated for his injuries.
The driver of the other car was taken to the Bath Regional Hospital by public-spirited citizens, treated and discharged. One of the passengers was later transferred to the GPHC for further medical attention, while the other, who sustained multiple injuries, remained under observation. Their conditions were listed as stable.
Police said a breathalyser test conducted on the driver of PAP 2877 recorded a reading of 17 micrograms.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw”
Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Pluck’s mother, Lilia Ramkissoon, said the severity of her son’s injuries became clear from the moment she first saw him in hospital.
She recalled that despite emergency surgery and the efforts of medical personnel, his condition continued to deteriorate until he eventually succumbed.
“From Sunday when I went to see my son at the hospital, I couldn’t believe what I saw…I spoke to my son, but he didn’t respond,” Ramkissoon said.
She explained that Pluck underwent surgery after the crash, during which one of his kidneys was removed. He also suffered multiple broken ribs, a serious head injury and other traumatic injuries.
For Ramkissoon, one of the hardest memories to revisit is the final conversation she shared with her son just hours before the collision.
“Saturday afternoon I told my son to take care, and he told me, ‘Yes Mommy, I will,’” she recalled.
Describing him as a caring and hardworking son, Ramkissoon said Pluck had devoted much of his life to the horse racing industry, working with horses for many years before returning to Guyana and continuing in the profession.
While the family is mourning his death, they are also questioning early accounts surrounding the collision.
His sister, Caroline Pluck, said relatives have been hearing conflicting reports about how the crash occurred and believe investigators should carefully examine all of the available evidence before reaching conclusions.
The family is disputing Police reports that Pluck was speeding. Police investigations into the fatal crash are continuing.
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