A 16-year-old motorcyclist lost his life tragically on Thursday evening after being involved in an accident during a Police chase, triggering protests in areas across the Corentyne and forcing the launch of an investigation by the Police Office of Professional responsibility.

The young boy has been identified as High School student, Aftaz King of Corentyne, Berbice, who recently completed his CXC exams.

Eyewitnesses have reported that the teen was forced off the edge of the road after being hit by a Police patrol vehicle. The young boy lost control of his motorcycle slamming into a utility pole and was flung onto the roadway, according to the eyewitnesses.

The Police in a statement, initially claimed that the young boy was riding his motorcycle when he attempted to evade a Police Patrol and collided with a utility pole resulting in his death. The teen sustained multiple injuries to his body. His mangled body remained on the scene for a long time before eventually being taken to the #75 Village hospital, where doctors officially pronounced him dead.

The Police said owing to the seriousness of the matter, a full investigation is being undertaken by the Police Force Office of Professional Responsibility with the Police promising that appropriate action will be taken should any criminal or disciplinary culpability be established during the course of the investigations.

As protests erupted across the Corentyne with tyres being set on fire and roads being blocked, the Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond issued a statement of her own, assuring the family of the dead teen and the public that the matter is the subject of a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation.

The Minister in a late night statement also appealed to residents of Skeldon and other areas across Corentyne to remain calm and to refrain from actions that may endanger lives, urging them that they should allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

Angry residents during their protests last evening complained about Police abuses and said they are convinced that the teen motorcyclist was forced off the road by the Police. A group of teens said it is almost a regular occurrence with the Police in the community chasing down motorcyclists.

In a statement last evening, demanding a thorough investigation and accountability, the People’s National Congress-led APNU noted the serious allegations against the Police and raised concern that after the accident, the Police did not seek to offer any assistance to the youth, instead leaving his body on the roadway while making no effort to rush him for medical care.

The APNU said there needs to be a full, independent, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Altaf King’s death, the immediate preservation of all relevant evidence, including police records, communications, and any available video footage, and for there to be appropriate action against any individual found to have acted negligently or unlawfully.

The APNU also said there needs to be the timely release of the findings to the public to ensure accountability and maintain public confidence.

16-year-old Altaf King attended the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School. In a statement, the school said Altaf was a valued student and his untimely passing has deeply affected the entire school community.

“During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his parents, family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved him”, the school statement said.

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