GT&T has no information on how accident occured...WOW

GT&T Expresses Sincere CondolencesThe Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) regrets the unfortunate incident last night (Saturday) which has resulted in the loss of two lives and injury to several persons.

The Company expresses sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and wishes those who sustained injury speedy recovery and a return to good health.The tragic accident occurred on the Amelia's Ward section of the Linden Soesdyke Highway as invitees were returning to Georgetown after the formal commissioning of the new GT&T cell site at Ituni.

The new site had already been powered up and, as it has done at other locations, the Company had organized a ceremony to formally launch the facility.

GT&T has traditionally treated such occasions as media events, and accordingly, the local media houses were informed of the function and invited to send representatives to cover the proceedings.

A number of media houses appreciated the importance of the event and assigned journalist to provide coverage.The Company organized transportation to Ituni by road for the journalists and GT&T staff from the city and back. Of the five vehicles making the trip two were allocated for use by media personnel.

The drivers of all of the vehicles were reminded of the need for caution when traveling on the East Bank and Linden/Soesdyke Highways.Everything seemed to be proceeding according to plan.

The journalists arrived at the GSM site and in the time available before the ceremony, they traveled into the community to talk with the residents to learn more about life there and generally to widen their horizons.

It was after the function had been completed and on the return trip to the city that tragedy struck.

No information is yet available to the Company on how the accident occurred, but it proved to be the final assignment for Miss Jacobs, a journalist of the National Communication Network and Mr. Terrence Tappin, the driver of the vehicle which is contracted to the Company.

The other passengers in the vehicle sustained injuries and were taken to the Linden Hospital. Injured were June Ann Amsterdam and Mohamed Nazim of NCN, Ravina Gildharie of Guyana Times, Serena Knights, Supervisor Linden, GT&T's Business Office, and Kenneth Whyte, Security Officer, GT&T who was traveling with the team to ensure their safety.

GT&T executives at the site and staff from the area accompanied the injured to the Linden Hospital. They were supported by the journalist who had turned around the other vehicle in which they were traveling in a gesture of solidarity to be with their colleagues in their distress.

The Company's CEO, Major General (ret'd) Joe Singh and Consultant Sonita Jagan were at the Public Hospital in Georgetown to check on the status of the more injured who were rushed from Linden to the Georgetown Hospital.GT&T continues to keep those who have passed away and those who remain hospitalized in their prayers.