The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE mother of a 36-year-old male pedestrian, who was tragically killed in a traffic accident in Freeport last week, is devastated at losing her only child to a horrible accident, after having survived a similar incident several months ago from which she is still recovering.

William Christopher Gibson, 36, of Hudson Estates, Freeport, was walking Friday when he was struck by a tour bus. According to police, he was attempting to cross the street at West Settler's Way and Coral Road when the accident occurred sometime around 8am.

Gibson died at the scene. It was the island's second traffic fatality for 2018.

His mother, Mabel Gibson, was recovering in hospital in New Providence when she received the tragic news of her son's death last Friday.

Mrs Gibson was released from the hospital so that she could return to Grand Bahama to mourn her son.

The Tribune spoke with Mrs Gibson at her home in Hudson Estates, where she is confined to her bed with a neck brace for a spinal cord injury.

Framed photographs of her son in his younger years were displayed on a table in the living room and on the dresser in her bedroom.

Last October, Mrs Gibson, a retiree, was struck while walking on the pedestrian crossing near the Rand Memorial Hospital.

"I was knocked down on October 1 walking at the Rand Memorial Hospital. I had injuries to my ribs, spinal cord, and collarbone, and I can't walk," she said.

Mrs Gibson described her son as a "loving person" who never bothered anyone. She stated that he suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and was prescribed medication for it.

"He was going to work at the (GB) Sports Centre when he was killed. He was my only child. I was lying in the hospital bed when I got the news. I did not expect it would happen to him," she said.

Mrs Gibson said her son died a "cruel death."

"The bus ran over him, and no one has come to talk to me since this. I have to cremate him because he was mashed up," she said.

Mrs Gibson has been surrounded by friends and family who are helping her cope with the unfortunate tragedy.

The tour bus involved in the accident is operated by H Forbes Charter Service. Police are continuing their investigations into the accident.

• This story has been corrected to say that William Christopher Gibson's mother's name is Mable Gibson - not Lenora, as it previously stated.