GDF Private feared dead after boat capsizes in Essequibo River

A Private attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) stationed at Fort Island, Essequibo River, is now missing after the boat in which he and five others were travelling capsized on Friday.
Missing is 24-year-old Junior Kenroy Sooklall.
The incident occurred sometime around 16:45h in the vicinity of St Lawrence on the East Bank of the Essequibo River.
Based on reports received, the group of GDF soldiers was heading to Parika from Essequibo in a privately-owned speedboat, and while in the vicinity of St Lawrence, they heard people screaming for assistance and as they looked around, they observed a boat sinking.
As the ranks quickly went in the direction of the persons, they observed four males in the water while two others were in a green and black boat a few metres away. The ranks managed to rescue three persons from the water, however, the fourth male went down.

They further rescued the two other men that were in the boat after which the boat submerged. The ranks then took the rescued men to Mangal’s Wharf, after which the Police were informed.
Everette Tudor, 40, a Staff Sergeant attached to the GDF and a Base Commander at Fort Island who resides at B Field Sophia, Georgetown, was one of the men rescued.
The others are 28-year-old Ramesh Beepat, a Captain of Old Road Le Destin, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); Turendra Lochan, 28, a barber of Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo; 14-year-old Eon John, a student of Parika Primary School and of Le Destin, EBE, and 16-year-old Ryan Beepat, also a student of Le Destin, EBE.
The rescued persons were questioned by the Police and escorted to Parika Police Station, where breathalyser tests were conducted.
Tudor, Turendra Lochan and Ramesh Beepat were above the legal limit of alcohol consumption.

Investigators further questioned the captain, who related that the five passengers were travelling from Fort Island when they hit a wave, thus causing the 17-foot wooden boat which was powered by a 150-hp Yamaha outboard engine to capsize.
A search and rescue team was dispatched into the area, in search of the missing rank but his body was not retrieved. Further searches are being conducted as investigations continue.