Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan along with Regional Chairman of Region One (Barima-Waini), Brentnol Ashley, visited the families of two teachers who lost their lives following a collision between an army boat and another at Moruca on Friday.
Adrian Thomas, 18, a former teacher of St Bedes Primary School on Kumaka Road in Santa Rosa, and Helen Raybai of Waikrebi Village in the Moruca Sub-Region, are the two teachers who lost their lives
Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, along with the Regional Chairman, visiting the grieving families
Based on reports received, the accident took place at 06:30h on Friday, and one of the boats involved was Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard radar craft RC 17, which was under the command of a sergeant, assisted by two other ranks, and was en route to Santa Rosa. The other boat, powered by a 75HP outboard engine and captained by Thomas, had four occupants, including Raybai, her child and Thomas, and was on its way to Charity.
The collision reportedly occurred as the GDF boat was negotiating a turn. Following the collision, Raybai and Thomas lost their lives while the baby and the other occupant of the boat were taken for medical attention at the Charity Regional Hospital.
Police have said that the Coast Guard vessel was damaged, and is currently at the Base in the Pomeroon River. The GDF, in a statement after the tragic accident, said an investigation is underway, none of its ranks were injured, but are extremely saddened at the passing of two occupants of the civilian boat.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, together with officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, has since extended their condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.
Along with the Chief of Staff, Parliamentary Secretary, Sarah Browne-Shadeek and Regional Vice Chairperson of the Region, Annansha Peters also visited the grieving families.
When contacted, Dawn Torres, a cousin of Thomas, told Guyana Times during a telephone conversation that relatives had received initial information about the accident, and later in the morning received news that two persons had died.
She noted that her cousin and other passengers were heading to Charity.
Thomas had attended the Santa Rosa Secondary School, and after writing CSEC, had applied for a teaching job at St Bedes in the Barama area.
Torres described him as a very jovial and funny person who always lighted up a crowd. She recalled meeting him on Easter Monday during a family gathering, and said she was fortunate to have been taken on a ride in his boat. (G9)
