71-year-old pensioner dies in Pomeroon River boat collision

Police in Regional Division Two are investigating a river mishap that occurred on Monday at Kabakaburi, Upper Pomeroon River, Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) which resulted in the death of 71-year-old pensioner Felix Smith of St Monica Village. According to police, enquiries revealed that Tressa Williams, 36, of Karawab Village and attached to the Karawab Village Council, was heading home in a wooden boat powered by a 200 HP Yamaha outboard engine at about 15:30h, which she captained and had two passengers. Williams told investigators that she stopped at the Kabakaburi Mission to pick up two schoolchildren and after leaving the stelling, she proceeded on the right side of the river. While negotiating a turn, she observed another wooden boat approaching from the opposite direction on the same side of the Pomeroon River. The other vessel coloured red, white and black, was powered by a 15 HP Yamaha outboard engine and was captained by Felix Smith. Williams told investigators that in an effort to avoid a collision, she steered closer to her right-hand side, but Smith also moved in that direction, causing the two boats to collide. After the impact, Williams said she observed Smith lying face down and unconscious in his boat, while his wife, Telouis Smith, was in the water holding onto nearby trees along the riverbank. Another boat responded and assisted in transporting Felix Smith and his wife to the Karawab Health Centre. They were later transferred to the Charity Cottage Hospital for further medical attention. Felix Smith was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Police said that a detective examined the body and observed injuries to the left side of Smith’s face. The body is currently at the Charity Cottage Hospital mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Tressa Williams is presently in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations.