1 missing, 1 in custody following 2-boat collision in Mazaruni River

A 40-year-old man is feared dead following a two-boat collision at Jawalla Village in the Upper Mazaruni on Saturday at about 17:45h.

The missing man has been identified as Fabian Sam of Jawalla Village. Reports are that Sam, who was operating a 35-foot-long boat powered by a 30 HP outboard engine, was moving along the Mazaruni River with five occupants.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), upon approaching the confluence of the Mazaruni and Kukui Rivers, another boat, which a 48-year-old man was captaining, was observed coming head-on from the opposite direction.

In an attempt to get the other boat to change direction, an occupant in Sam’s boat flashed his torchlight in a bid to avoid a collision but to no avail.

The boats collided, resulting in Sam being thrown overboard, and the occupant became injured and unconscious.

The injured man was transported to the Kamarang Hospital and later transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital. The 48-year-old captain is in custody, assisting with the investigation.