Two men who were yesterday charged with endangering lives which resulted in the death of 21-year-old Kelton Benjamin of Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast, were granted bail when they appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Thirty-six-year-old boat builder Owen Gonsalves of Grant Enterprise Pomeroon River and Barry Fraser, boat captain of Charity Essequibo Coast were jointly charged with endangering lives.
According to the police, on April 5, 2015, at around 8 pm the passenger boat was being piloted by Fraser, while Benjamin along with several other persons were in the boat on the Pomeroon River when another boat captained by Gonsalves collided with it.
The impact of the collision caused the passengers to be thrown overboard and the motor was ripped off of the boat.
Benjamin died as a result of the collision.
Both Fraser and Gonsalves pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them and neither was represented by an attorney.
There were no objections to bail by Prosecutor Haimwant Ramsewak and the men were placed on $80,000 each pending trial.
The matter was adjourned until August 17 for report.
