The family of a horse racing assistant trainer who died two days after a collision on the West Coast Berbice Public Road is calling for a thorough investigation into the crash.
Carlton Albert Pluck, 42, of No. 8 Village, West Coast Berbice, popularly known as “Blackmouth”, died on Tuesday afternoon at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after the collision on Sunday along the No. 22 Public Road, West Coast Berbice.
Police said the collision occurred at about 11:00 hrs and involved motorcars PJJ 94, driven by Pluck, and PAP 2877, driven by Andre Stephen, 33, of New Amsterdam. Preliminary investigations indicate that Pluck was travelling east along the northern carriageway when, while negotiating a right-hand bend, he allegedly attempted to overtake a line of traffic and collided head-on with the oncoming vehicle. Both vehicles were extensively damaged and all occupants sustained injuries.
Pluck was initially taken to the Bath Regional Hospital before being transferred to Georgetown, where he remained unconscious until his death. The occupants of the second vehicle were treated and are in a stable condition. Investigations are continuing.
Pluck’s sister, Carlyene Pluck, disputed the police’s preliminary account, saying the investigation should focus more closely on the other driver. She said her brother had no history of speeding offences, while the other driver had accumulated several speeding tickets, including one issued earlier that same day.
Pluck’s mother, Leila Ramkissoon, recalled watching her son fight for his life after sustaining catastrophic injuries, including the loss of a kidney, five broken ribs, lung damage and a head injury. She described him as caring, humble and well-loved.
Pluck had just left the Jumbo Jet Horse Racing Stables at No. 22 Village and was heading to a horse racing event when the collision occurred. According to his family, he developed a passion for horse racing at the age of 14 and became a well-known figure in the local racing fraternity, working with several stables before returning to Jumbo Jet about a year and a half ago after spending several years abroad.
