The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday apologised for the actions of “inexperienced” Coast Guard ranks who spotted the body of 11-year-old West Ruimveldt drowning victim Shamar Success on Wednesday but failed to aid in its recovery.
The boy’s body was found yesterday morning at the Herstelling foreshore, on the East Bank of Demerara, his father, Roy Success, told Stabroek News.
A relieved Success, who had criticised the actions of Coast Guard ranks, said his son’s body was spotted floating by a child along the Demerara River before 7 am. He was grateful for the recovery, which he said would allow the family to organise a decent funeral.
Army Chief-of-Staff, Commo-dore Gary Best, told Stabroek News that the situation was unfortunate and in a later statement the GDF noted that it was two inexperienced Coast Guard ranks who reported their sighting of the body to the police instead of recovering it.
“The ranks were at the time test driving and trouble shooting a vessel which was under repair,” it said, adding that the Coast Guard subsequently mounted a search throughout the day on Thursday in an effort to recover the body.
“The Force expresses its regret to the family of the deceased for any anguish caused and reaffirms no disrespect to the bereaved relatives,” it added.
The child was taken to the seawall by a neighbour on Tuesday afternoon and was later swept under the force of the waters during a swim. Success, who was a student of the Success Elementary School, recently wrote the National Grade Six examinations.
