A two-year-old child and his grandmother are now dead following a boat mishap in the Friendship Canal Lower Pomeroon River during the wee hours of this morning.
Dead are 2-year-old Marley Henry and 38-year-old Agatha Gill, both of Friendship Canal Lower Pomeroon River. The accident occurred at about 12:00hrs.
Guyana Standard understands that Gill left home at about 20:00 hrs and went to consume alcohol with friends at Burn Bush L.P.R with her husband and grandson .
While returning home, Gill’s husband, who was highly intoxicated according to police, stated that he entered the Friendship Canal, and a coconut husk hit the propeller, and he lost control of the handle of the engine.
As a result of this, the boat hit the edge of the river’s left bank, and the boat capsized. A 75 HP engine powered the boat.
According to the man, his wife and grandson were trapped underneath. He then tried to get them out, but his efforts were futile.
According to police, he then called for help, and a group of public-spirited citizens came to his rescue in turning the boat over after which, he pulled his wife and his grandchild from underneath the boat in an unconscious state.
The duo was then rushed to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.
The bodies of the two were then escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem Examination (PME).
The grandfather is presently in custody at the Charity Police Station, assisting with the investigations.
