Police are investigating a river mishap that resulted in the death of Damion Fredericks, also known as “Smirf”, on Monday night.
Reports are that the incident occurred around 22:30 hrs near Jacklow in the Lower Pomeroon River.
According to information reaching the News Room, Fredericks and two other men – Shane Narine and Joseph Melville – were consuming alcohol earlier in the night at a club and they left for another spot in Charity, Essequibo Coast.
The men departed in separate boats. Melville claimed that Narine and Fredericks left together in a wooden balahoo powered by a 40hp Yamaha outboard engine, which was owned and driven by Narine. Meanwhile, Melville departed with another individual, identified only as “Akash”, in a different balahoo with a 15hp engine.
Melville reportedly told Police that after retrieving his vessel from a relative’s place, he was crossing the Jacklow River when his boat was struck on the left side, causing it to capsize and throwing him into the water.
Roland Ramdeen, a 41-year-old boat builder told Police that he was at home watching television when he heard a loud sound on the river. He immediately launched his boat and went to the scene to investigate.
Upon arrival, Ramdeen observed two damaged boats. He also found Narine and Fredericks in one of the boats, both with injuries to their faces and heads. Fredericks was unresponsive while Narine was conscious and screaming in pain.
Ramdeen rushed Narine to the Charity Hospital, where he was examined and admitted in critical condition before being transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital.
Fredericks was transported separately by relatives to the Charity Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later taken to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Melville was also examined at the hospital and subsequently taken into police custody as investigations continue.
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