Three persons have reportedly lost their lives in a tragic incident along the Lethem-Linden Trail during the early morning hours of today, 23rd of June, 2024.
According to information received, Leon Achee, a regular driver of the Lethem-Linden Trail, left Lethem last evening, 22nd of June, 2024. He subsequently collected two passengers (identities of whom are unknown up to press time) and hit the trail to Georgetown. About halfway along the way, the minibus Leon was driving got stuck in the muddy and broken trail.
Relatives of Leon said he last made contact at around 2:00 AM this morning, 23rd of June, 2024 when he informed them that the bus was stuck and they were waiting to be rescued. However, relatives got worried after repeated attempts to Leon’s cellphone went unanswered this morning. At around 11:00 AM this morning, 23rd of June, 2024, a search and rescue team discovered Leon and the two other occupants of the bus dead inside the bus.
From all outwards appearances, the victims died in their sleep due to either carbon monoxide poisoning or suffocation. If the air conditioning was left on, it’s possible that the exhaust might have been broken or blocked by mud and slush causing Carbon Monoxide to build up in the bus while the occupants slept. If the engine was turned off and the windows wound up, it’s possible that the occupants might have exhausted the oxygen reserves inside the bus while sleeping. A postmortem examination will reveal the true cause of death in the upcoming days. Police and medical investigations are currently ongoing.
One of the victims has been identified as Leon Achee of Annai Village, Central Rupununi.
Leon leaves to mourn his wife and two children. Team Guyana, South America extends heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of Leon as well as the other two victims of this tragic incident.
Update
23 of June, 2024
Reeva Bovell, of Linden, Region 10, has been identified as one of the three persons who died in the tragic incident along the Lethem-Linden Trail early this morning.
Team Guyana South America extends heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of Reeva Bovell.
May her beautiful soul rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing
Update
24th June, 2024
Third victim identified…. The third victim of the tragic incident along the Lethem-Linden Trail has been identified as Vincent Fausett of Ross Village, West Coast Berbice, Guyana, South America.
Update
24th of June, 2024
Carbon Monoxide poisoning was most likely the cause of death of the three persons who perished yesterday along the Lethem-Linden Trail.
The back of the bus was submerged in a deep pothole, the doors and windows were closed, and the engine was running. The exhaust pipe was likely blocked causing CO to seep into the vehicle.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to precipitate a painless death. If the person is awake, they start feeling tired and falls asleep, after which death follows within minutes. If the person is already sleeping, they would die comfortably in their sleep without feeling any discomfort.
On the other hand, surviving severe carbon monoxide poisoning tends to lead to serious lifelong disability.
The three persons who died along the Lethem-Linden Trail of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning are identified as Leon Achee (driver) of Annai, Central Rupununi, Reeva Bovell of Linden, Region 10, and Vincent Fausett of Ross Village, West Coast Berbice.
Once again we extend heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims of this tragic incident. May their souls rest in peace and rise in power
Update
24th of June, 2024
Post Mortem Confirms Cause of Deaths Was Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Post mortem examinations were carried out on the morning of Monday, 24th of June, 2024 on the bodies of the three persons. The PME found that all three persons died from carbon monoxide poisoning. No marks of violence or signs of struggle were found on the bodies or at the scene of the incident.
By all indications, at around 2:AM on the morning of June, 2024, the three occupants of the minibus decided to wind the windows up, turn on the AC, and catch some sleep…not knowing it would be their final rest. The back of the bus was submerged in a pothole interfering with the exhaust system of bus thus causing carbon monoxide to find its way into the bus. As the carbon monoxide saturated the bus, it entered the nostrils of the sleeping persons driving them into a state of deeper slight since inhalation of carbon monoxide has a sedative effect. The carbon monoxide would them bind with the hemoglobin of the blood thereby preventing oxygen absorption. The victims would die peacefully in their sleep wouldn’t feeling anything.
Peacefully Sleeping
The victims were found in a sleep-like state in the minibus, their faces betraying no signs of a painful death or struggle. Instead, they appeared to be peacefully sleeping. The relatives and friends of the three deceased can draw a moderate consolation from the thought that their loved ones by all indications died a painless death. The photos below show the manner in which the victims of the fatal incident were found.
