“Last Saturday I had announced that we had not had any deadly traffic accidents for about 11 days. And shortly after that I heard about this.” Minister Monorath expresse shock over the tragic accident that had claimed the life of the 8-year-old girl. Saturday afternoon the girl was hit by a speeding water scooter at the Plantation Ayo  vacation resort which is located in the Para District. “This is not the first time that a deadly accident with a water scooter took place. We must discuss this with the Ministry of Transportation, Communications and Tourism (TCT) and other ministries to determine safety regulations for vacation resorts. Rules must be introduced. Regulation is required. Safety must be guaranteed,” said Minister Monorath. The deadly accident took place around 17:20 on the Suriname River when the 22-year-old rider of the water scooter, Jason R., lost control while speeding and hit several people on the shore. Shakinah died at the scene of the accident. Her father who is a well known businessman arrived shortly after the accident by helicopter. He took his daughter’s body and other people who were seriously injured to the Emergency Room at the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP).  Police reports and eye witnessed claim that an 8-year-old boy also sustained serious injuries and that he had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. A man is also in critical condition at the AZP. The rider of the water scooter which is also known as a jet ski also sustained injuries. Police reports indicate that he was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Meanwhile Jason R. has been arrested by  the police. He told the police that he had rented the water scooter to visitors of the vacation resort and that he was bringing it back when he lost control over the steering wheel. Minister Monorath assured the nation that he would speed up the talks with all parties involved. “We can’t sit on the sidelines until another accident claims the life of another child. Rules must be put in place. The safety of visitors of vacation resorts and in particular children must be guaranteed,” said Minister Monorath.