One woman is dead and another is in stable condition at the Bartica Hospital after two small 15 HP motor boats collided on the Essequibo River late Wednesday night.
Donna Rampersaud, a relative of one of the boat owners, perished and Melina Williams was still being treated at the Bartica Hospital up to press time although the extent of her injuries could not be confirmed.
River Navigation Officer Michael Tenant on behalf of the Maritime Administration Department was sent to investigate yesterday. Public Works Minister Robeson Benn told Stabroek News yesterday that MARAD would be pronouncing on the accident as soon as more information was obtained.
He stated that the two boats were either used for fishing or recreation and that so far investigations had to determine if lifejackets were employed and if speed or lack of visibility were issues.
This is the second fatal boat accident in less than a week in a remote area. On Sunday, Captain Dale Duggin, 28 years of Muritaro Village and Williamson Felix died after two boats collided along the Upper Demerara River, in the Muritaro area, Region 10.
