Driver, passenger killed after crashing into horse at C’tyne

Sep 12, 2016 News

In another accident that may have been caused by alcohol, a driver and one of his passengers perished at around 20.40 hrs yesterday at Number 49 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, after their vehicle struck a horse and overturned in a trench.
Police identified the dead as Richard Ramnarine, 45, the driver, of Number 46 Village, Corentyne, and Ramesh Rampat, 23, also of Number 46 Village, Corentyne.
Rescued but hospitalized are Prakash Gangaram, 24, of Number 47 Village, Corentyne, Rameshwar Manger, and Mahendra Ramprakash, 24, also of Number 47 Village.
They were pulled to safety from a trench by Mr. John Butcher, who lives nearby and was one of the first people on the scene.
There are reports that the men were drinking earlier in the evening.
According to reports, the driver was heading in the direction of New Amsterdam, while it was raining, when he struck a horse at a turn on the roadway, near Number 49 Village. The vehicle then overturned in a nearby trench. It is believed that Ramnarine and Rampat were trapped in the vehicle.
John Butcher, who saved three lives yesterday, said that he was at home when he heard “a loud crash outside.”
An acquaintance in the house then informed him that a car was in the trench.
“When I went to the scene people were milling around but nobody was doing anything,” Mr. Butcher recalled.
“I jumped into the trench and pulled out three people. Then the police came and took them to the hospital.”
Mr. Butcher said that he later saw two bodies, which were covered, at the roadside.