Nine injured as pick-up topples

Aug 28, 2012 News

Nine persons were all rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital in the wee hours of yesterday, following an accident on the Mahaica Public Road, East Coast of Demerara.

The wrecked pickup truck

According to reports, Julian Jones, the driver of the pick-up truck bearing licence plate number GHH 3697 was attempting to overtake a minibus at the “Now or Never turn” when a minibus came into his path. Jones reportedly made an instinctive swerve, resulting in the vehicle toppling several times before slamming into a mesh fence.
By that time, five men who were in the tray of the pick-up, the front seat passenger, Jamal Rahaman, the driver -Jones, and two other passengers sitting aback of them were hurled several feet away, some ended up in the bushes over the fence.
A relative of Rahaman, Bibi Akleema, told Kaieteur News that her nephew was returning from a chutney show with his friends when the accident occurred.
While passing the area, patrons of the same event noticed the wrecked vehicle at the side of the road, and opted to take a further look. Upon approaching they heard cries and with the aid of a flashlight, discovered the men lying in various positions.
The public spirited persons then transported the most seriously ill men to the hospital, and sought assistance in taking the others.
The young men all suffered severe lacerations, but it was Jones and Rahaman, the two front seat passengers, who were transported via an ambulance, to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where they were admitted.
Rahaman underwent emergency surgery, while Jones, after being unconscious for several hours, regained consciousness.