Duo burns to death as car explodes after crashing into utility pole

Two persons were burnt to death in the wee hours of Saturday after the vehicle in which they travelling crashed into a utility pole and subsequently burst into flames at Dundee, Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Dead are Mervyn McAllister, 44, a contractor of Lot 11 Airy Hall Mahaicony, and 30-year-old Fredrick Fraser of Huntley, Mahaicony.

Police stated that at the time of the accident, McAllister was driving motor car PAB 8723 and proceeding west along the southern side of the road at a fast rate when he lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn and ended up colliding with a GPL pole and a concrete fence.
As a result of the collision, the vehicle burst into flames. The driver and occupant, Fraser, were both burnt to death beyond recognition.
A fire tender from the Mahaica Fire Station responded to the scene and put out the blaze. As a result of the impact, the telephone and electric cables were destroyed.
Residents believe that a live electric wire might have gotten into the car and electrocuted the duo before igniting sparks that led to the car bursting into flames.
According to Lakhram Mahase, a mechanic, he was summoned to the scene and he along with others used fire extinguishers and water from two nearby drums to put out the blaze but the heat was too much for them to get to the two men.
He related that when the Fire Service arrived, they were eventually able to get their water pump working and dozed the vehicle until it stopped smoking.
The mechanic explained that the engine of the car was not burnt, which indicated that the fire started from sparks coming from the electric wire.
Fraser was employed with McAllister as a mason.

The two had reportedly left a construction site in Georgetown on Friday evening. At the time of the crash, the two men had already passed their homes but their destination remains unknown.
Meanwhile, Yvonne Fraser, the mother of one of the dead men, stated that she was able to recognise her son from his gold teeth.
She revealed that his mouth was opened when she visited the mortuary to identify him. The woman stated that his footwear was also intact and she used it as another means of identifying the father on one.
Police are waiting on autopsies to be performed on the bodies as the investigation continues. (Andrew Carmichael)