An autopsy done late last week confirmed that the Alness fisherman who seamen reported jumped overboard to his death, died from drowning.
The body of Radesh Narine, also known as “Bunga”, 43, of Alness Village, Corentyne, was brought from the sea through a channel at Bushlot Village, Corentyne two Fridays ago.
The results of the post mortem (PM) examination, conducted last week, listed asphyxia and drowning as the causes of death.
Relatives of Narine, through the media, had demanded a thorough investigation into his death, after fishermen who were present on the boat during the incident, gave multiple accounts of what had transpired.
However, Commander of B Division, Paul Langevine, stated that the results of the PM had cleared the persons who were on the boat. He, however noted that statements have been taken from the other fishermen.
Narine’s colleagues had reportedly told relatives that the man suffered a seizure and jumped overboard. However, relatives began to suspect that something was amiss after another fisherman on the boat told them that Narine “trip out and jump overboard”.
Relatives noted that this immediately seemed odd to them since their brother, for all of his life, had never suffered from any seizures or mental illness.
However, it was when a third story emerged from another fisherman who was present on the boat, that relatives began to question what had really transpired out at sea.
Narine’s older brother had told Stabroek News that he was the first person to arrive at Bushlot Village, Corentyne, when his brother was brought from sea. He related that he had cornered the youngest fisherman on the crew, who told him that he heard his brother screaming, ‘don’t beat me’.
The man said, “He tell me how me brother scream, ‘don’t beat, don’t beat me’ and he been deh top the cabin that he na want work no more and then he jump overboard…”
The long-time fisherman added, “Me know that water current and them telling me my brother dive under the boat, me na believe that. Them claim them tie some rope and dive overboard and feel underneath the water and find me brother”.
Another one of Narine’s brothers, Jaidari Narine, also known as “Abai”, 51, had told this publication that three Tuesdays ago, the now dead man was forced to head out to sea to fish. Jaidari had explained that the captain of the boat which his brother was working on, passed by his (Jaidari’s) house and asked for the whereabouts of his brother. “He ask me where Bunga deh and me tell he me na know, he had one long piece wood in he hand and he tell me how Bunga borrow money from him and when he catch Bunga he go beat him”.
Stabroek News was told that prior to this incident, it had been close to one year since Narine had last headed out to sea to fish.
The family is still contending that something is amiss and is calling on the police to further investigate.
