A tragic accident claimed the life of a veteran truck driver on Saturday afternoon after he failed to negotiate a turn along the Cotton Tree Public Road, West Coast Berbice.
The deceased, identified as 67-year-old O’Neil Adrian of Woodley Park Village, was driving a motor lorry eastbound when the incident occurred. According to police reports, Adrian lost control of his vehicle while attempting to navigate a bend. The truck veered off the roadway, crashing through the concrete fences of two private properties before coming to a violent stop under a homeowner’s vehicle shed.
Residents recounted hearing a loud crash between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. and rushing outside to find the lorry lodged under the shed, with Adrian pinned inside. Quick-thinking villagers worked together, using a rope to pull the steering wheel and free the trapped driver. Adrian was conscious and speaking as rescuers extracted him from the wreckage.
Despite their efforts, Adrian was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Public Hospital. Medical personnel informed his family that he suffered fatal internal bleeding, which ultimately led to his death.
The accident not only claimed Adrian’s life but also caused significant property damage, including destroyed fences and a damaged car ramp. The homeowner, Bhoomesh Shivnarine, described the chaos and confusion in the aftermath, noting delays in the police response.
Adrian’s wife, Chitraika Beharry, said her husband had left for work early that morning, as was his routine, and returned home for lunch before heading out again. The couple, together for forty years, shared one child.
The body of O’Neil Adrian is currently at Bailey’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue. The incident has left the Cotton Tree community in shock and mourning the loss of a respected member.
