The bodies of the two children who drowned on Thursday night following the Aruka River hit and run have been recovered and their parents are pleading with the authorities to find the persons responsible.
According to reports from Mabaruma, the bodies of Daveanand James, 6, and Loyzal DaSilva, 7, were found on Sunday night by a search party, which consisted of the children’s father Basil DaSilva and residents of the area. The bodies were reportedly found about six miles away from where the collision occurred and were taken to the Mabaruma Hospital mortuary.
The children’s mother, Ophelia James, who is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing injuries, related to Stabroek News yesterday that all she wants at the moment is for the police to find the persons who crashed into their boat.
At the time of the incident, the children and their parents were travelling on the Aruka River heading to Central Kumaka.
“I remember it was dark and we were in the boat normally and then all of a sudden this big speeding boat from behind come and ram into the back of us and all the engine and everything bruk up and we pitch down,” the emotional James told Stabroek News yesterday. She said that after the boat collided with theirs and sped away, her husband was thrown into the water and two of her children were knocked unconscious.
“He [Basil DaSilva] pitch in the water and they [Her three children] were in the boat and the engine break and after the two of them [Daveanand and Loyzal] were just lying in the boat blackout and it started to let water in,” the woman related. She said that the boat subsequently started to sink and her older son, who had not suffered any serious injuries, tried to swim with the two children but was unable to hold them up both since they were unconscious.
“I don’t recall exactly what happened after that because after the boat started to sink everybody started to panic and it was dark so you couldn’t see anyone really so I don’t know what happened after that,” the woman said, pointing out that they were forced to tread water for a “very long time” before being rescued. Even with the extent of her injuries, suffering two broken ribs, a fractured shoulder blade and a punctured lung, James was able to defy the odds and survive.
“I just want them find who responsible for the accident cause they didn’t even stop and say let they help us. They didn’t even turn back and try to help us,” the woman said.
Other residents echoed the sentiments and reiterated that the only thing they want is for the boat driver and whoever else is responsible to be found. “The damage is already done. Two children are dead and we are only looking forward to justice following the police investigation. We want to see the individual who is responsible be brought to justice,” a resident said.
Acting Crime Chief Hugh Jessemy confirmed yesterday that the bodies were found and that persons were still in custody assisting with the investigations.
The accident is not the first of its kind and the residents pointed out that the “big boat” operators have little regard for the small boat owners. “When they passing they wouldn’t even slow down and the waves would just come and rock your boat and if you don’t stay still you could fall over and these things could happen,” the resident pointed out.
James had said the same thing on Saturday and she explained that the concerns had been pointed out to the authorities in the areas and even the coastguards but fell on deaf ears.
James also pointed out that even the coastguards would operate in the area in the same manner. The residents said that the area needs to be patrolled better by the coastguards to ensure that the big boats are not navigating recklessly. “There are a lot of small boats here because there are a lot of people who do stuff like fishing and they need to enforce the laws better to ensure that these people are safe,” a resident said.
