Warapoka man dies in ‘99 Turns’ boat crash
A 26-year-old businessman of Warapoka Village, North West District, in Region One died in a boat mishap at around 17:05 hrs on Friday last.
According to the police, dead is Vanwest Charles, who was driving a boat about 16 feet in length, red and blue in colour, powered by a 40 HP Yamaha engine. The police said Noel Malvin Evans, a 43-year-old boat captain of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast told them that at about 17:05 hrs he was negotiating a turn in the mid-part of the ’99 Turns’, North West District, when Charles’s boat crashed into his.
According to the police, Evans, who has been the holder of a coxswain licence for the past two years, is the owner of a 22-foot speed boat powered by a 200 HP Yamaha engine. He usually operates the boat to transport passengers from the interior location to Charity.
Last Friday, at about 06:30 hrs, Evans picked up six passengers from Iyanna Backdam, Barama, North West District: Alex Daniels, a 21-year-old labourer; Stephanie Thomas, a 26-year-old shopkeeper; Martin John, a 50-year-old farmer, and his son, Rondel John, a 13-year-old student; Milton James, a 71-year-old pensioner and pastor and Wallis James, a 50-year-old farmer, all to be transported to Charity and
Moruca, respectively, the police were told.
At about 17:05 hrs, Evans told the police, he was negotiating a turn at a moderate speed in the mid-area of the ‘99 Turns’, North West District, and was on the righthand side where boats are required to be travelling. As he took the turn, he saw Charles approaching in his boat alone at a fast rate in the opposite direction.
Charles, on seeing his boat, Evans told the police, swerved to the left side of the river where he was supposed to be travelling. In the process, the back portion of Charles’ boat crashed into the bow area of Evans’ boat. Charles and the boat engine fell into the river. He was subsequently taken out of the water by Evans and his passengers; several injuries were seen on his body.
The police said Charles was transported to Kumaka Waterfront, Moruca, then by ambulance to the Kumaka District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was photographed and processed and is currently at the Kumaka District Hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Statements were taken from all the passengers who corroborated Evans’ story, the police said, adding that no foul play was suspected. Nevertheless, Evans was placed in custody and is assisting with the ongoing investigations.
A 32-year-old motorcyclist died yesterday after he lost control of his motorcycle, which skidded into a trench and then collided with a wooden bridge, on the Meten Meer-Zorg Public Road, West Coast Demerara.
Dead is Mark Paul of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.
The police are investigating the fatal incident that occurred at about 02:31 hrs, involving motorcycle #CL 8032 driven by Paul. The release said enquiries disclosed that the motorcycle was proceeding west along the southern side of the road at a fast rate when the motorcyclist lost control and ended up in a trench then into a wooden bridge where he sustained head and other injuries.
Paul was picked up by the police in a semi-conscious condition and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries at about 04:35 hrs.
The motorcycle was taken to Leonora Police Station where it was lodged to be examined by a licensing and certifying officer. The body of the deceased was escorted to Ezekiel Mortuary for storage, awaiting a postmortem examination.