A 57-year-old boat captain lost his life on Thursday afternoon after two boats collided in the Cuyuni River near Tapir Landing, police said.
Dead is Steve Daniels of Kartabo Village, Lower Mazaruni River. According to police, the river mishap occurred at about 12:45 p.m. and involved a 26-foot wooden boat powered by a 200 HP Yamaha outboard engine and an 18-foot aluminum boat powered by a 40 HP Yamaha outboard engine.
Initial investigations revealed that the larger wooden boat, operated by a 51-year-old captain of Batavia Village, Cuyuni River, was travelling in the vicinity of Tapir Landing with four occupants when it reportedly collided with the smaller aluminum boat being operated by Daniels.
Police said the impact left Daniels and three occupants of the aluminum boat injured.
Daniels was found motionless after the collision, while one of the other occupants sustained serious injuries. The remaining occupants received minor injuries.
The injured persons, along with Daniels, were taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where a doctor on duty pronounced him dead on arrival.
Police said one of the injured occupants was admitted to the hospital in a serious condition, while the others were treated for minor injuries and later sent away.
The captain of the 26-foot wooden boat is in police custody assisting with the investigation. Investigations are ongoing.
