rehearsals for the flag raising ceremony for Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary ended tragically after a young pannist attached to the Pan Wave Steel Orchestra was crushed to death by the wheels of a moving truck
Dead: 14-year-old Kevin Scipio
from which he jumped on Tuesday evening.
The dead lad was identified as Richard Ishmael Secondary School student, Kevin Scipio, 14, of Lot 6 Railway Embankment, Kitty, Georgetown.
According to reports, while the truck transporting the Pan Wave Band equipment was reversing into the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School Compound on Mandela Avenue, Scipio jumped off the vehicle and tripped and fell under the truck. He was crushed by the rear wheels of the lorry.
The teenager was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the truck is in Police custody assisting with investigations.
When Guyana Times arrived at the home of the boy, relatives were gathering in the home consoling each other trying to come to grips with the loss of the young man.
Scipio’s distraught mother, Alieka Davis, related that this was her only child and at about 22:00h, she was called and told the tragic news.
The Ministry of the Presidency has extended condolences to the relatives of the teenager, stating that it was with deep regret that President David Granger and the Government learned of the tragic passing of Scipio.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Education Ministry with responsibilities for culture, youth and sport, Nicolette Henry visited the dead teen’s relatives and offered her personal condolences and that of her Ministry.
Additionally, the Richard Ishmael Secondary school’s flag was flown at half mast in respect of the young man’s passing.
