WBD man drowns at Ituni

Police are investigating the drowning of a West Bank Demerara (WBD) man, who died while swimming near a koker at Kamakabra Creek, Ituni in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Dead is 31-year-old Patrick Lord of Vive la Force, West Bank Demerara. He drowned at about 16:00h on Monday.

From initial investigation, the Guyana Police Force revealed that about 06:00h on Monday, Lord accompanied his brother, Paul Lord, and their co-workers Allan Hughes, Roy Joseph, Jermaine

Caleb Williams, Andy Seeram, and Randolph Seeram to Silicone Green Sawmill at Yarrowkabra on the SoesdykeLinden Highway.

At about 11:00h, they were heading to Unamco Road in the Upper Berbice River region, when they stopped in Linden for fuel and food. The men arrived in Ituni at around 15:30h but made another stop at Rankin Shop to get supplies, where they consumed a bottle of El Dorado rum.

After imbibing, they continued their journey but decided to stop at Kamakabra Creek. The deceased man was swimming near a koker, but his brother and co-workers observed that he failed to surface. This resulted in a search for him.

A frantic search for about 10 minutes saw him being pulled him from the water and rushed to the Ituni Health Centre. A medic performed initial checks before transferring him to the Linden Hospital Complex, where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival.

The body is at a funeral parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing. (G12) log truck drivers that they should no longer allow porters to be seated at the top of logs when travelling; instead, they should be in the truck’s cabin.

Owners of log trucks were reminded that it is their responsibility to have all of their drivers licensed because this can have serious consequences. On this note, the Traffic Chief said he was informed that some of the trail drivers are unlicensed, and they bring the log truck up to a point, and a licensed driver takes over.

He also warned the drivers not to consume alcohol while driving.

“The collaboration aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities and make our roadway safer for all users,” the Guyana Police Force stated.

Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Tasreef Khan also spoke to the truck drivers and owners, welcoming the collaboration and assuring the GFC’s full support to make roads safer and save lives. (G12)