The body of security guard Mohammed Al Rasheed, who fell into the Demerara River on Wednesday, has been recovered and an autopsy has confirmed that he drowned.
Rasheed, also known as “Fat Head” of Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice, fell into the river around 5.45 pm on Wednesday at the Omai Wharf in Linden, where he had been working.
His body was recovered around 6.10 pm on Thursday after it was found floating at Dallawalla, Demerara River.
Rasheed’s body was positively identified by his brother-in-law.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan yesterday confirmed the finding of the autopsy, which was conducted by government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh.
According to the police, Rasheed, along with two other workers – 21-year-old Tony Sookram, a sailor, and 38-year-old Ramnarine Daljeet, a porter – was on the wharf and he left to go to take a bath in the river.
About two minutes after Rasheed left, Ramnarine saw him panting in the water and immediately shouted for Sookram, who the police said was identified as the better swimmer of the two.
Sookram quickly donned a life jacket and armed himself with a lifeguard ring before jumping into the water to attempt to rescue Rasheed. However, because of the strong current, he was unable to do so and Rasheed disappeared under the water.
