Timehri Army Base explosion leaves 3 dead and 2 injured

Less than three months after a similar incident resulting in the death of one officer and the injury of three others, the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) lost three of its own on Thursday, after a massive pyrotechnics explosion occurred in the ammunition depot at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, with two other soldiers suffering injuries.

Dead are Lance Corporal Kevon Nicholson, 23, of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam; Lance Corporal Toohey Peneux, 28, of Orealla Village,

Corentyne River and Private Shaquille DeHarte, 20, of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice. All three were killed instantly.

Sergeant Quincy Threlfell, 43, and Lance Corporal Paul Peters, 29, were also injured. Threlfell was air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remains in a critical condition while Peters was treated for minor burns and other injuries at the base.

According to sources, the fiery explosion occurred around 9 am, sending persons nearby scattering for cover. Thick, black smoke enveloped the camp and fire tenders were immediately summoned on site. After the flames cleared, the ranks were greeted with a grim scene. An official release from the GDF stated that the deceased trio was involved in the preparation of “pyrotechnics for demolition” when tragedy took place, while information from what a source says is a preliminary report, indicates that carelessness during the exercise may have been the cause of the explosion.

(Kaieteur News)