A rescue effort on the Berbice River turned deadly on Friday night when a 60-year-old boat captain was crushed between a tugboat and a drifting timber barge near Jeep Landing, Kwakwani.
Dead is Alvin Adams of New Amsterdam, Berbice. Police said the fatal marine incident occurred around 19:40 hrs on July 3, 2026, on the western side of the Berbice River.
Initial enquiries revealed that a barge being used to transport timber was drifting downstream due to the strong river current when a tugboat went to render assistance.
As the tugboat approached the barge, the two vessels collided. Adams, who was on the tugboat at the time, became trapped between the vessels and sustained severe injuries.
He was immediately rescued and taken to the Kwakwani Public Hospital, where he was examined and pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor.
His body remains at the hospital awaiting transportation to the G-Jetsco Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted. Investigations are ongoing.
