A horrific boat collision along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Monday resulted in the disappearance of three persons who are now feared dead.
The two boats at the Eteringbang Police Station
One of the missing men was identified as Lloyd Obermuller, a 60-year-old labourer of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and of Eteringbang Landing.
Obermuller was reportedly operating a 19-foot wooden boat powered by a 75Hp Yamaha outboard engine while Crees Boyde was operating a 17-foot wooden vessel powered by a 40Hp Yamaha outboard engine at the time of the collision.
The incident reportedly occurred between 03:47h and 04:30h. Police stated that Obermuller and Boyde would normally transport persons from Eteringbang Landing to San Martin Landing, Venezuela.
However, on Monday morning, Obermuller left Eteringbang Landing en route to San Martin with two passengers while Boyde had left San Martin, Venezuela, en route to Eteringbang Landing.
“As they were both navigating across the river, the two boats collided, causing the passengers — as well as Obermuller and Boyde — to be flung into the river,” Police stated.
As such, public-spirited citizens responded and managed to rescue Boyde. Neither Obermuller nor his passengers were found. Boyde was taken to a health centre in Venezuela where he was treated for severe injury to his right leg and minor injury to his hands.
Meanwhile, the identities of the passengers have not yet been ascertained. A search and rescue mission is underway.
