Police of Region Two are investigating a tragic accident that claimed the life of a 28-year-old man along the Riverstown Public Road, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Wednesday night.
Dead: Kevin Bacchus
Dead is Kevin Bacchus, a contractor of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast. The incident occurred around 21:25h, and involved three motor lorries.
According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Bacchus was driving motor lorry GNN 4987, which was proceeding north along the eastern driving lane, when he reportedly collided with the excavator track that was loaded on motor lorry GAJ 2185, driven by 43-year-old Jairam Sukhu of Maria’s Lodge.
Following the initial impact, Bacchus reportedly lost control of his vehicle and subsequently crashed into a second motor lorry bearing trade plate BMI-2, driven by 28-year-old Yogeshwar Persaud of Columbia.
Bacchus sustained injuries and was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later taken to the Suddie Mortuary, and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Both Sukhu and Persaud were taken into custody at the Suddie Police Station, where they are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Speaking with Guyana Times, the grieving father, Ravi Bacchus, said his son had been working on government contracts at both the Riverstown Nursery and Primary Schools.
On the night of the accident, Kevin was transporting materials and tools from the nursery to the primary school, which are located a street apart.
The father explained that in order for his son to reach the primary school, he had to drive onto the public road before turning into the next street.
He claimed that a low-bed truck was carrying an excavator but it was not properly positioned on the low bed, and was sitting “cross way”.
According to the father, Kevin’s workman, who was with him at the time of the accident, reported that the low-bed truck with the excavator, along with another truck loaded with stones, were both proceeding at a fast rate of speed.
“The low-bed truck had very bright lights, and Kevin couldn’t see that the excavator wasn’t sitting properly. The tracks were hanging off the trailer for a few feet… a low-bed is about 8 to 10 feet wide, and an excavator’s tracks are like 18 feet. If it’s turned cross-way, certain feet of the tracks will be off the low bed,” Bacchus asserted.
Bacchus believes his son did not realize the danger until it was too late. “He didn’t see the excavator in that position and crashed into the track. After that, he lost control and slammed into the truck…” the grieving father alleged.
He further stated that his son did not appear to have many external injuries, “just a dig on his forehead,” but may have suffered severe internal trauma.
Bacchus is calling on the police to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
He also noted that Kevin’s workman escaped without a scratch and has since given a detailed report to the police, including how the excavator was positioned and how the lights from the vehicles may have impaired his son’s vision.
