Infant among passengers rescued as boat sinks in Essequibo River
Several persons including an infant were Saturday afternoon rescued after the boat in which they were travelling sank in the Essequibo River. The incident occurred just after 14:00h.
Some of the passengers in the water after the boat sunk
At the time of the incident, the boat was en route to Supenaam, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). One passenger told Guyana Times that the boat left the Parika Stelling, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and while in the vicinity of Leguan, water began entering the boat, which caused it to start sinking.
Upon seeing this, the captain of the boat took quick action and steered the vessel onto a river bank and ordered the passengers to disembark.
One of the passengers holding the infant in a tree
A video seen by this publication showed some of the passengers in a tree waiting to be rescued and at the same time trying to save their lives. One man was also seen holding the infant above the water until rescue came.
Popular comedians Lindon Jones [Jumbie], Chris Gopaul, and Micheal Ignatius, along with local singer Kwasi Ace were also passengers on the boat. They were expected to perform at Washiba Resort.
On Gopaul’s social media page he said “we are all fine God is great. We have real heroes among us. The guy with the baby sat there [in the tree] with someone else’s child. Kwasi Edmondson snatched a baby girl (aged 2 or 3) and jumped into the shallow area saving her life. I want to believe the guy with the baby and a few friends were members of the GDF who were very active in lending assistance….”.
Following the tragedy, another boat arrived at the location and transported the passengers to Supenaam.
