Boat builder dies in Pomeroon River collision after drinking spree

A river collision on Monday evening has claimed the life of 20-year-old boat builder Damion Fredericks, also known as “Smirf,” in Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam).

According to police in the Regional Division, Fredericks, who is from Lower Pomeroon, died following a boat accident involving another vessel allegedly operated by 24-year-old Joseph Melville, also a boat builder, of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon.
Investigators reported that Fredericks, Melville, and another man, Shane Narine, had been consuming alcohol earlier that evening at several bars in Charity before departing in separate boats.
Melville later told police that after retrieving his boat from a relative, he was navigating across the river when his vessel was struck by another, resulting in his boat capsizing.
An eyewitness, who told police he heard the collision from his home, claimed he responded by boat to the scene and discovered both Fredericks and Narine with visible head and facial injuries. Fredericks appeared unresponsive at the time, while Narine was still conscious.
The witness said they quickly transported Narine to the Charity Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. Fredericks was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted.
Melville, who received minor injuries, was treated at the hospital and later taken into police custody as investigations continue into the fatal incident.
Just recently, another tragedy occurred in the same river. In March of this year, 57-year-old Ivan Braithwaite lost his life in Kabakaburi, Upper Pomeroon River. Police said Braithwaite had left his home in a canoe to purchase items from a nearby shop but never returned. His canoe was later found drifting with the purchased items still inside. After an unsuccessful overnight search, his body was discovered floating face down by his son-in-law around 06:00h the following morning.
No marks of violence were observed, and he was pronounced dead at the Charity Hospital.