Police are investigating a road accident that claimed the life of a 55-year-old motorcyclist on Thursday afternoon along the Eastern Carriageway of the Covent Garden public road, East Bank Demerara.
The incident occurred at about 16:05 and involved the motor lorry GAG 2043, driven by a 23-year-old of Timehri, and the motorcycle CL 9379, owned and ridden by Gerald Da Silva of Covent Garden. According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that both vehicles were heading south on the Covent Garden roadway, the lorry in the eastern driving lane and the motorcycle in the western lane, slightly ahead of the lorry.
Reports indicate that as Da Silva approached a parked motor canter at the side of the road, he swerved eastward in an attempt to avoid the stationary vehicle. However, the 23-year-old lorry driver, upon observing the sudden movement, applied brakes in an effort to prevent a collision. However, due to the short braking distance, the right front side of the lorry collided with the motorcycle.
Following the impact, the motorcycle and rider fell onto the road surface. The right front and rear wheels of the lorry rolled over Da Silva, causing severe crushing injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after, and the injured motorcyclist was transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The body has since been transferred to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination. An investigation has been launched.
According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that both vehicles were heading south on the Covent Garden roadway, the lorry in the eastern driving lane and the motorcycle in the western lane, slightly ahead of the lorry.
