Truck crushes young athlete at Eccles Old Flour Mill Road – driver claims unaware of accident
EIGHTEEN-year-old Dustin Crawford, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, former Under-19 rugby player attached to the Carib Rugby Club, was killed by a truck and trailer in an apparent hit-and-run accident at Old Flour Mill Road at Eccles, EBD yesterday afternoon.
Crawford had minutes before disembarked a minibus at the Eccles Public Road, and was walking into Old Flour Mill Road to visit his coach, who resides in that village, when the truck and trailer turned short at the corner, and the rear left side wheel trapped him before crushing him. His death was instantaneous and gruesome. His body was covered by a sheet when the police were summoned to the scene yesterday.
The vehicles are reportedly attached to DOCOL, and the driver allegedly left the scene following the accident, saying he did not see anybody and was not aware he had killed someone. He was arrested by the police when they visited DOCOL, and is currently assisting with investigations.
A very distraught Terrence Crawford, Dustin’s father, showed up at the scene and said his son had left home to visit his coach, because he had upcoming rugby matches and had played recently in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
The weeping man almost collapsed upon seeing his son’s mangled body. He told the Guyana Chronicle that he received word that one of his sons was involved in an accident, and when he arrived at the scene, his worst fears were confirmed.
Consoled by a neighbour, he openly cried for his child, whom he described as a loving and talented youth who was at the prime of his life. Three other siblings are also rugby players.
The accident attracted many passersby, who voiced their concerns regarding the fatal accident. Others were in obvious shock and dismay at the attitude adopted by the truck driver, who left the scene yesterday.
(Michel Outridge)
