Min. Lawrence consoles bereaved families
─ of Linden accident victims
─ Heightened awareness for road safety
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, October 26, 2019
Upon learning of the tragic deaths of 37-year-old nurse, Eon Reddock and 18-year-old Tristan Clarke of Linden, Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence and a team from her ministry made several stops in the town to extend condolences to those affected by the accident, and to offer support where needed.
The first stop was made at the Linden Hospital Complex where Reddock was employed for 13 years. He worked primarily in the Maternity ward.
Staff who were quite fond of him could not contain their grief as they recounted what are now cherished memories of Nurse Reddock, who was always known to be fun-loving and willing to go beyond the call of duty.
Minister Lawrence expressed her sadness that yet another asset to the health sector has fallen. She has noted how the loss of Reddock has affected his colleagues.
“I do understand how the staff feel because for us at the policy level, we were already planning to attend the funeral of the staff of the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital [who died in an accident in Friendship, EBD]… Now we got this message, it was really hard for us” the minister said.
Showing their respects, the staff has set up a memorial in the LHC where the fond memories of Eon Reddock are displayed.
At his home, in Amelia’s Ward, the minister visited his mother, Merlene Niles, where a commitment was made for the LHC and the MoPH to cover funeral expenses.
Over at the home of the 18-year-old driver of the private car, in One Mile Extension, the mother, Maxine Clarke was inconsolable, revealing that of her four children, Tristan was her only son.
According to family members, Tristan was heading over to his father’s residence in Amelia’s ward when misfortune struck.
Minister Lawrence has ordered counselling for the staff of LHC and immediate families of the two who perished.
Meanwhile, survivors of the accident have been transported to the GPHC.
“We want you to know that we stand with you… Just name it, whatever you need and we [MoPH] are here to support.”
The two men lost their lives after being involved in an early morning accident involving a St. John’s Brigade ambulance and a private car in the vicinity of Obama Drive, Amelia’s Ward on Saturday, October 26, 2019, between the hours of 3am to 4am.
Reddock was the nurse on duty in the ambulance, which was returning to Linden after transporting an emergency patient to Georgetown.
Clarke, the driver of the private car was allegedly speeding when the incident occurred.
Minister Lawrence has received a preliminary report from the board of the Linden Hospital Complex of the circumstances leading up to the involvement of the ambulance in the accident.
The two survivors include an Ambulance Attendant from the St. John’s Medical Brigade, who suffered a fracture. The driver of the ambulance suffered bruises and lacerations but was sent to the GPHC for a CT Scan to be done.
During the period of minister’s visit, those gathered at the two homes stressed the need for drivers to be more careful on the roadways.