Two dead, several injured in Linden Highway smash-up

Nov 17, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – Two people were killed and five others injured in a two-vehicle collision on Sunday evening along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Kaieteur News up to press time was unable to ascertain the identities of the deceased and injured. There was no official police report on the accident also. Kaieteur News understands that two persons were found motionless at the scene, while five others were transported to the Linden Hospital Complex for urgent medical attention. Details surrounding the accident remain unclear.

However, a video circulated showing some of the injured and the severely damaged vehicles. In the video a woman was seen lying motionless on the roadway, and a man was found unresponsive beneath one of the damaged vehicles. Another woman appeared to be lying inside the toppled car. Passersby assisted the injured at the scene before they were transported to the hospital. Commander of Regional Division 4B, Stephens, confirmed that a report of the accident was made, and police ranks were on the ground investigating.

Meanwhile, between January 2024 and September 2025, Kaieteur News counted that 20 people lost their lives and several others were seriously injured in a series of tragic accidents along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway. Just last month this newspaper in an article highlighted the number of deadly crashes that have occurred on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway for the year thus far. Back then Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh had stressed that the police have already implemented all possible measures to maintain safety. He emphasised that ultimate responsibility lies with drivers and vehicle owners, who must exercise caution and diligence when using the roadway.

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Paul Slowe recently described the highway as a “death trap” that requires urgent attention. In a letter to the newspaper Slowe had proposed the creation of a specialised Highway Safety Unit, equipped with vehicles, safety gear, and electronic warning systems, operating around the clock to address hazards such as broken-down vehicles, erosion, or water-logged surfaces. “The main purpose of the highway patrol must be to identify potential dangers i.e., broken-down vehicles, erosion, loose surface, water lodged on the road surface, etc. and ensure that adequate warning signs are put in place at a reasonable distance from the potential danger. I am sure that this measure, if immediately implemented, can have a significant impact on the safety of this important artery,” he said.

However, in an interview with Kaieteur News, Singh explained that many of the suggested measures are already in place, particularly constant patrolling. He noted that during the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, the police implemented a more structured highway patrol system with traffic-focused operations from each division. “Previously, there was only a checkpoint where vehicles simply passed through a barrier. Now, there is a fixed establishment with a building, mobile patrols by vehicle, and active engagement by ranks,” Singh stated.

He further explained that another measure, the highway patrol base, complements this system.  He stated that since the highway serves as a vital link between Region Four (East Bank) and Region Ten (Linden), the two divisions now work in coordination to strengthen traffic management and enhance preventative road safety. While acknowledging the rise in fatal accidents along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, Singh said back then that responsibility also lies with drivers. “That takes away no grievance that there are accidents, but when it comes down to responsibility, it is not a police issue alone. The Soesdyke–Linden Highway is still undergoing transformation as part of the rehabilitation works. We issue traffic advisories weekly, and there are constant lectures delivered to drivers across Region Ten and the East Bank. We keep preaching to them, reminding them, urging them,” he said.

Singh also highlighted the problem of immobile vehicles left on the highway. “When immobile vehicles are seen on the highway, they are not there by chance. It is the responsibility of the driver to call 911 and report it to the police, it’s free. Once notified, we take into account that the driver may not have cones or reflectors available. We then respond immediately, take photographs, place cones, and issue traffic advisory. This alerts other road users and prevents further danger,” he explained. Singh also underscored poor vehicle maintenance, speeding, and driver fatigue as persistent challenges. “When they are not so capable, they feel tired; you to take time off you can’t proceed in the same manner. We have experienced this in the past. Persons have crashed because they were tired,” Singh said.

 

 

 

 

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• Kaieteur News, Paul Slowe, Police Service Commission, Soesdyke/Linden, Traffic Chief Mahendra

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