Dead is Francis Parmanand Singh, called `Shine Money'. Singh, who is said to be in his late forties, hailed from Mahaicony, and lived at Foulis, also on the East Bank of Demerara.

According to reports, Singh was shot when he and his son, `Chiney Boy', who worked as the conductor on the bus, refused to hand over money which the men demanded.

According to a source, one of the robbers approached the driver and another the conductor. Singh reportedly attempted to drive away when he was shot. The dead man's son fled the bus, but one of the bandits pursued him on a bicycle. The lad, however, escaped by running into the nearby Annandale Village.

After Singh was shot, the pink bus with the names `Chiney Boy' emblazoned at the front and `Shine Money ' on the side, crashed into a rail and ended up in a ditch.

Reports are that passengers who were in the bus also fled the scene.

Singh is said to be the father-in-law of Somattie Singh who died at the Public Hospital Georgetown recently under tragic circumstances. (Wendella Davidson)