Captain feared dead following 2-boat collision in Mazaruni River

A boat captain is feared dead while another was taken into custody following a collision between two boats on Saturday at Jawalla Village, Upper Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The missing man was identified as 40-year-old Fabian Sam of Jawalla Village.

Based on reports received, on the day in question at about 17:45h, Sam was operating a 35-foot boat which was powered by a 30 HP outboard engine, while the other boat – a 30-foot powered by a 15 HP engine – was captained by a 48-year-old resident from another village in the Upper Mazaruni region.
However, initial reports stated that Sam was navigating his boat along the Mazaruni River with five occupants and upon approaching the confluence of the Mazaruni and Kukui Rivers, the light from the other boat was observed approaching from the opposite direction. The boat was reportedly heading head-on into the other.
Charles Hernandez, an occupant in Sam’s boat, attempted to get the other boat to change direction and as such, flashed his torchlight in a bid to avoid a collision but to no avail.
As a consequence, the boats collided, resulting in Sam being thrown overboard and Hernandez sustaining injuries thus rendering him unconscious. A search for Sam proved futile.
Hernandez was transported to the Kamarang Hospital where he was treated and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The other boat’s captain was taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.