An elderly man died on Monday after his boat hit another boat in the Essequibo River.
The police said Richard Bowens, 87, of Karrau Village, Essequibo River, was on his way to Bartica when he collided with the other boat, captained by Jules Benjamin.
Benjamin, who operates a passenger boat that plies the route between Bartica and Parika, departed the Parika Stelling with 23 passengers at about 10.45 am.
The police said that while nearing Bartica, Benjamin saw Bowens about 700 meters in from of him heading in the same direction.
As he reached closer to the boat, the report stated that Bowens suddenly changed his course and collided with him.
A boat rendered assistance and took the injured man to the Bartica Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving treatment.
Benjamin remains in custody assisting with the investigation, while an autopsy has been scheduled to confirm the cause of Bowen’s death.
