…suffered fractured skull, punctured lung
One of the two Scouts who were struck down by a motor vehicle on Tuesday was released from the
Nick Omarie Joseph
Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), having sustained minor injuries, while the other is battling for his life after sustaining a fractured skull and a punctured lung.
The injured children were identified as eight-year-old Nick Omarie Joseph, who is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and nine-year-old Darnell Matthews. They are in Guyana for the 14th Caribbean Cuboree.
Reports are that the accident occurred around 12:10h on Tuesday. According to eyewitnesses, the two boys were walking along the Avenue, under the guidance of a St Lucian adult, heading towards the Scout Association building when a motor car with registration number PSS 1236 struck them.
A Police statement on Tuesday said that investigations revealed that the driver parked her vehicle in front of the North Georgetown Primary School, on Woolford Avenue, went into the school to do registration, but was refused entry because of her mode of dress. As a result, she became annoyed and drove out of the Avenue, in the process hitting the two children.
The driver remains in custody. Joseph’s mother is expected to arrive in Guyana on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Scout Association of Guyana has reassured the respective parents and guardians of the 1000 Cub Scouts that all measures are being implemented to ensure their safety.
