Minister Broomes visits family of fatal Agricola accident
– Offers words of encouragement and government’s support
By Felecia Valenzuela
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, June 2, 2019
Minister of Youth Affairs within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes on Sunday morning visited the parents of 7-year-old Ciara Benjamin, killed in an accident yesterday on the Agricola public road.
The Minister offered condolences on behalf of H.E President David Granger and the government. “Just as we celebrate with our people, we also grieve with them,” she stated. “It is a hard situation,” she said about the death of little Ciara.
Ciara died tragically on the Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Saturday afternoon, when a sand truck crashed into her as she attempted to cross the road.
During her visit with the child’s parents Orlando Benjamin and Chrisann Thegg, in South Ruimveldt, Minister Broomes offered words of encouragement to the family and also assured that the government stood ready to assist with expenses during this difficult time.
“I have spoken with Minister Amna Ally (Minister of Social Protection) about government taking care of the expenses.” … “It’s a hard situation, it’s a life, an innocent baby lost,” Minister Broomes noted.
Adding that “We cannot replace a life, but we are here for this young family.”
According to unconfirmed reports, as the child and her aunt attempted to cross the busy road, the driver of the truck initially swerved in the direction of the median to avoid hitting the child, but she reportedly ran back across the road into the vehicle’s path resulting in the collision which caused her death.
Images: Kawise Wishart