A river mishap has claimed the life of 20-year-old boat builder Damion Fredericks, also known as “Smirf,” on Monday, in the Lower Pomeroon River, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed.
Fredericks was reportedly involved in a collision with another vessel allegedly operated by 24-year-old Joseph Melville, a fellow boat builder from Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon.
Authorities stated that Fredericks, Melville, and a third man, Shane Narine, had been consuming alcohol earlier that evening at various bars in Charity before departing separately in boats. Melville reported that after retrieving his boat from a relative, he was crossing the river when his vessel was struck, causing it to capsize.
An eyewitness who heard the collision from his home responded promptly by boat and found Fredericks and Narine with head and facial injuries. Fredericks appeared unresponsive, while Narine was conscious at the scene.
The eyewitness transported Narine to the Charity Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. Fredericks was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, and his body was later transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
Melville received minor treatment at the hospital and was subsequently taken into police custody.
