Biker dies in Mandela Avenue crash

A motorcyclist is dead while another man is in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), following an accident on Mandela Avenue in the vicinity of the National Gymnasium Sunday evening.

Leon Wilkins, of “B” Sophia, was pronounced dead by paramedics when they arrived on the scene, while the injured, Seon Cooke, 31, a father of one from Lamaha Avenue was transferred to the hospital in a critical state.
Wilkins was said to have just left a pool party, and was riding a ‘R6’ motorcycle, when he collided with Cooke, who was at the time riding a pedal cycle. Wilkins was at the time proceeding north along the western carriageway when the accident occurred. The impact of the accident is said to have resulted in the motorcycle being dragged for over 100m from the point of impact.

Wilkins body landed just outside the gate of the gymnasium, and quickly drew curious onlookers as a crowd formed. Wilkins was not wearing a helmet at the time and sustained most of the visible injuries to his head and face. As the body lay there for some time, several colleagues of the deceased eventually turned up at the scene as the news spread. Many of them also on motorcycles but without helmets. As they decried Wilkins for causing his own death by his recklessness riding, several of them returned to their own motorcycles and speed away, nonetheless.

One particular impassioned relative was seen banging on vehicles as he grieved Wilkins’ death. Wilkins is said to have been recently engaged and was in the process of planning his wedding.