Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
One dead in Demerara River Bridge smash up
(Kaieteur News) – A tragic multi-vehicle accident on the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge on Thursday claimed the life of one person and left another in critical condition after a heavy-duty cement truck reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and rolled into oncoming traffic.
Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh confirmed that one fatality was recorded. The deceased has been identified as 25-year-old taxi driver Scott Dorwart of Grove, East Bank Demerara.
Kaieteur News understands that the accident occurred around 9:30 hrs along the bridge. The incident involved motor truck GAC 296, which was travelling on the western side of the bridge en route to Region Three. The truck, which was transporting a load of cement, reportedly experienced a mechanical failure while ascending the bridge and began rolling backwards at high speed. The out-of-control vehicle slammed into five other vehicles before eventually coming to a halt.
Photos depicting the tragic accident on the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge.
Another individual sustained serious injuries and was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), while two other persons suffered minor injuries. The scene was gruesome. Dorwart’s vehicle bore the brunt of the impact, leaving him trapped motionless inside the badly crushed car. A woman was also seen lying on the roadway with her face covered in blood, seemingly unresponsive while several other vehicles were severely damaged.
The driver of the cement truck, speaking with the media, said the incident occurred after the vehicle suffered mechanical issues. “When I climbing going up the hill the gear box cut on me, I hold the brakes but the brakes ain’t holding back no more and the truck start roll and I start brace the rail but I can’t brace the rail and it lash into them cars because the steering get stiff. I was watching to avoid knocking the bus but I still end up lashing he,” the truck driver explained.
A driver of one of the vehicles involved also recounted his experience. “I coming up the bridge and I just see a truck speeding come back and it lash into a car and I see it was coming from the outside so I tried to turn in to the inside but I still end up getting knock,” he said.
Dead: Scott Dorwart
Meanwhile the father of the deceased identified as Michael Dorwart arrived at the scene, loudly crying out for his son. “My baby boy gone. Why them take way my baby. He’s my only son, my only baby,” he said.
Following the accident, emergency responders, including the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), and emergency medical personnel, were dispatched to the scene. The Guyana Fire Service reported that it deployed one fire tender and two EMS ambulances, supported by four firefighters and eight Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
Firefighters used hydraulic extrication tools, including the Jaws of Life and a spreader, to cut open one of the vehicles and rescue a critically injured individual who was trapped. “MTs provided immediate emergency medical care at the scene and transported the injured individual to a medical facility for further treatment,” GFS said.
The father of the deceased at the scene in distress.
In a statement, the Ministry of Public Works dismissed rumours that the truck was overweight. “The Ministry wishes to categorically dismiss any rumours or misinformation suggesting that the truck involved was overweight. Verification of records confirms that the vehicle was weighed prior to crossing and successfully passed the axle load limit. The cause of the incident has been identified strictly as a mechanical malfunction,” the statement said.
Up to press time, the Guyana Police Force is yet to release a statement on the accident.
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