The man who was killed in a boat mishap in the Cuyuni River on Tuesday has been identified as 39-year-old, Miguel (only name given) of the Cuyuni area.
A senior police officer told Stabroek News yesterday that the man lives in the area where the incident occurred but he did not have a name for the place. He explained that the boat operator, who ran over the canoe the man was paddling, took him to Venezuela where the closest hospital is located. The officer said that the identity of the boat operator is known but he has not returned from the neighbouring country.
The body of Miguel is also still in Venezuela.
This newspaper was told that persons reported the incident to the police. After seeing signs of life, Miguel was taken to the hospital immediately by the boat operator.
“He did the right thing and took him to the nearest hospital, that is in Venezuela”, the officer added.
On Wednesday the police in a press release had said that an elderly man died when a boat powered by an outboard engine ran over the canoe he was paddling in the Cuyuni River.
At the time of the press release police did not have any information on the incident but knew that he was taken to a hospital in Venezuela where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.