Family of ECD schoolboy struck down on pedestrian crossing inconsolable

The family of 15-year-old Annandale Secondary School student Navindra Mahes is inconsolable following his tragic death in a road accident on Thursday morning along the Success Public Road, East Coast Demerara.
Police have confirmed that the fatal collision occurred at approximately 07:30h and involved motor car PAB 214, driven by a 35-year-old female Police corporal.
Mahes, of Lot 44 Le Ressouvenir, ECD, was struck while reportedly using the pedestrian crossing.

According to Police investigations, the vehicle was travelling west along the northern carriageway, in the southern driving lane, at a time when the temporary third lane was active.
Video footage showed Mahes standing on the median facing north before attempting to cross. As he proceeded, he was struck by the left front side of the vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Speaking to Guyana Times, relatives described the teen as a bright and ambitious young man who dreamed of becoming an engineer and had a deep love for cars and video games.
His cousin recalled his usual morning routine – putting on his socks and boots and sharing a brief conversation before heading out. However, on the morning of the accident, she said he had already left by the time she arrived, and she did not get to see or speak with him before receiving the tragic news later that day.
“Every morning I would see him… But this morning, I was just a few steps away, and he had already left. I didn’t get a chance to see him or talk to him. When I reached work, I got the news. It was shocking.”

The teen leaves behind his mother and a six-year-old sister. Navindra’s father passed away six years ago, leaving his mother to raise him and his younger sister.
Relatives said he had only recently started travelling alone after school-transport costs became too high, and he quickly adapted, demonstrating maturity and awareness on the road.
“For Form One and Two, I used to pay to take him and bring him. But it started to get too much – $5000 a week, $20,000 a month. So I said I would teach him how to catch the bus. It took him two days… and he got accustomed,” his mother, Vimlawattie Arjun, recalled.
Due to earlier financial challenges, his mother had initially sent Navindra to live with relatives in Berbice, where he excelled in his studies and topped his class at the NGSA. When circumstances improved, she brought him back home. Though he was initially set to attend school in Georgetown, she requested that he be placed at a school on the East Coast so that it would be easier on their family.
Meanwhile, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand visited the home of the deceased 15-year-old.  There, she met with his mother, offering her condolences and support during this devastating time.
Minister Manickchand was accompanied by Pandit and Parliamentarian, Honourable Suresh Singh; Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman for the Regional Democratic Council for Region Four, Mr Clemsford Belgrave and Mr Deoraj Nauth; the Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman of the Better Hope/La Bonne Intention Neighbourhood Democratic Council; and several Regional Democratic Council and NDC members. Among them were RDC Councillors Alechia Amos, Alana Persaud, Raghunandan Singh, Tasleem DrePaul, Roopnarine Persaud, Jaosdra Appalsammy, Gayaitri Jagroop, Neemawattie Baldeo, Salesha Gafoor, and Sumatie Ramcharran.
In expressing her condolences, Minister Manickchand emphasised that no parent should ever have to endure the loss of a child. The Minister and accompanying officials committed to providing ongoing support to the family during this difficult time.