Another river collision occurred early yesterday morning in the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Leguan and according to the police there are no reports of injury.
Police in a press release issued yesterday said investigations are being conducted into the river mishap which occurred around 01:30 hrs when two boats are reported to have collided.
“Investigations have so far revealed that one of the boats with agricultural produce was en route to Parika from Leguan, while the other boat was going to Supernaam from Parika when the collision occurred,” the release said adding that no report of anyone being injured was received.
Stabroek News was unable yesterday to make contact with the occupants of the two boats.
This is the third river collision to have occurred within the last six months and the only one that did not result in fatalities.
In December last year, six persons, including three children, died after the boat they were travelling in collided with another boat owned by the Region Two administration in the Pomeroon River. The captain of that boat has since been charged.
Then in January ten persons died when two small boats collided in the Crab Falls area in the Mazaruni River. Their lifeless bodies were retrieved over several days.
In March, nine-year-old Nikesha James and Phillip Adams drowned at Canal Bank, Port Kaituma after their boat was hit by a larger vessel which was being piloted by a drunken driver. The larger boat drove off without rendering any assistance. James, who was rescued, was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital where she later died while the body of Adams, who was the captain of the small boat was retrieved the following day.
The captain of the larger boat later turned himself in but was released without charge.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn after the third incident had expressed concern over the frequency of river accidents and urged persons to take the necessary precautions on the waterways.
He said persons should observe the rules of the river which include, staying to the right of any oncoming vessel, the use of lights at night and slowing down when coming to bends or when approaching smaller vessels.
