The board of inquiry into the boat crash which claimed the life of Pomeroon River farmer Ryan Khayum has been completed and a report has been presented to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West.
Staff Officer One General Five, Major Greasels Hinckson, last week told Stabroek News that the report was completed and is currently with West. She however stated that she could not divulge any information from the findings since she has not seen a copy of the report nor was she given any information to be released to the media.
Stabroek News was also told that the police file on the investigation is currently with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The police are awaiting legal advice to determine whether charges should be instituted against the boat captain.
Meanwhile, Ramroop Mahase, an in-law of Khayum, told this newspaper that the family has not heard from the GDF since they rejected the compensation package. He noted that after consulting with their lawyer, they were advised to refuse the offer since it failed to take a number of issues into consideration.
Mahase maintained that the amount offered by the GDF does not cater for the fact that a life has been lost.
The army offered a $3.4 million compensation package to Chandine Khayum, the widow of the Pomeroon River farmer, who died in a boat accident involving a GDF coastguard vessel to assist her in covering her losses following the crash.
“The amount just covers the expenses when you check it. It is $600,000 to repair the boat, $640,000 to buy a new engine – that is $1.2 million already, then you had to pay $300,000 to the divers and they gave her $900,000 for the goods she had in the boat plus the funeral expenses. It is like the wife and the two other persons in the boat don’t have no compensation. When we ask what about a life loss, they said they can’t do nothing about that,” Mahase had told Stabroek News.
According to a press release from the GDF, ongoing investigations have so far revealed that a Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard vessel, the GDFS HAWK 1028, which had four ranks on board, was returning from Charity, Essequibo, to the Floating Base when the incident took place. This was around 21:00 hours on April 20. Reports stated that the Coast Guard ranks were under the influence of alcohol. A Breathalyzer test was administered but the results were not released by the police.
Khayum’s body was found floating on Wednesday afternoon in the Pomeroon River, a short distance away from the site of the crash.
Mahase had told this newspaper that the boat collision occurred at Martindale, Pomeroon River, where the farmer’s wife had stopped to make a payment to an avocado farmer.
He also said that persons at the Charity Wharf after hearing of the accident rushed to the scene and rendered assistance but they were unable to find Ryan.
His wife and two workers were rescued by public-spirited persons attended the scene after the crash.
