Ex-Police Officer feared dead after boat capsizes in Canje River

An ex-Police officer is feared dead after the boat in which he was travelling along with 4 others capsized in the Canje River, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Sunday.
Missing is 29-year-old Kevin France of Manchester Village, Corentyne.
Based on reports received, France along with two of his cousins, aged 28 and 35, along with a 52-year-old man and the boat operator, 62, boarded a 14-foot boat – “Simplicity” – that was powered by a 50hp outboard engine and were heading to Banib along the Canje River.

The men were reportedly heading to the area to check on cattle belonging to a businessman.
However, in the vicinity of New Forest Village, two boats were seen heading in their direction. As the boats passed, the heavy waves caused the boat that they were in to capsize.
Kenton Tyndall, Manley Grant, Paul Tyndall, and Cecil Chisholm managed to swim to shore after which they realised that France was missing. A search was conducted for him but he was not found.
Police have since taken the four men into custody for further questioning.
France’s aunt, Natasha Williams, with whom he lived, stated that her nephew left home shortly after 6:00h on Sunday with the intention of travelling up the Canje River to do some work. She explained that she received information that there was an accident and the others were able to swim to safety except her nephew.
“They went the day before and they left the same time in the morning and they came back after two in the afternoon,” the woman said.
According to the woman, France could not swim. She noted that his first trip to the Canje River was on Friday.
“My cousin, they have cows and plant a farm up the Canje Creek. So, he wanted someone to go and work there. Like the cousin carry him to see the place.”
After leaving the Police Force, France was employed with a private security firm but after spending a short time, he left.

France would have been celebrating his 30th birthday today.
“He had plans, because his mother is overseas and she sent a box with stuff for him, so, Friday morning he came upstairs and he was showing us the clothes that we will wear on his birthday – Monday,” his Aunt revealed. France is a father of a 4-year-old child.
Police are continuing their investigation while the search continues for him. This comes less than three weeks after Shellon Williamson, 27, a mother of three, and 29-year-old Richard John, both of Mimi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, went missing after the boat in which they were travelling sunk in the same river.
It was reported that the duo and two others were in the boat when they were intercepted by members of the Coast Guard.
The law enforcement officers reportedly tied the boat to a pontoon which eventually started to sink and ultimately pulled the vessel thus causing it to capsize and eventually submerge.
The captain and his two brothers were able to get out of the boat and swim to safety. Realising that Williamson was still in the boat, John returned to the boat and was not seen again. One day after, John’s body was pulled from the river.