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Shot army recruit loses kidney
– bullet lodged near spine
Vernon Harding, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recruit who was shot a month ago at Tacama, has lost a
Recruit Vernon Harding following his surgery.
kidney and the warhead that struck him remains lodged near his spine, army sources confirmed Monday.
Harding, 21, of Middle Road, La Penitence, is recuperating at the army’s Camp Ayanganna medical facility. Kaieteur News understands that doctors are apprehensive of removing the warhead for fear of leaving him paralysed.
The recruit has an 18-month-old daughter and his wife, Tasleema Harding, said that while he is beginning to walk unaided, her spouse appears to be a long way from full recovery.
According to Mrs. Harding, her husband would have completed his basic recruit training course this Friday. She expressed concern over his future in the army.
However, an army official indicated that the GDF will not deem Harding medically unfit.
Harding was shot in the stomach and shoulder on May 18, last, after Lieutenant Othneil Hope, a 23-year-old training officer, accidentally discharged a handgun that he had taken into a barrack-room at Base Tacama, Berbice. Lieutenant Hope was wounded in the leg but has been discharged from hospital.
One report suggested that Harding was shot when he tried to go to the wounded Lieutenant’s aid. However, this newspaper understands that Harding told investigators that he was in the barrack-room when the lieutenant cocked his handgun and rubbed the muzzle against his (the lieutenant’s) chin. Shortly after, the recruit reportedly heard a gunshot and heard Hope cry out that he had been shot, while pleading for the other ranks to call a medic.
Harding reportedly told investigators that all the ranks fled from the barrack-room on hearing the shot. Harding, who was in bed, was reportedly attempting to follow the others when he heard a second shot – he allegedly then felt a pain in his stomach and shoulder and realised that he was bleeding.
According to sources, the recruit then ran outside and collapsed. The two wounded soldiers were air-dashed to Georgetown and taken to the GPHC. Harding underwent emergency surgery and relatives said he was
Harding’s wife, Tasleema, and the couple’s daughter.
subsequently informed that doctors were forced to remove one of his kidneys.
According to an army statement, investigators concluded that the shooting incident was a direct result of a breach of Force Policies. Paramount among them, were those related to the carriage of a service pistol and its handling in the presence of recruits.
According to the statement, the findings and recommendations from the Board of Inquiry are being studied for possible initiation of disciplinary action.
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