The captains of the two boats involved in the deadly crash in the Mazaruni River which claimed the lives of 10 persons back in 2013 are both contending that they should not be held culpable for the loss of lives because it was an accident.
This is according to police witnesses who testified yesterday at the trial of Cabesh Persaud called “Dube” and Devon Thomas called “Beast” who have each been charged with 10 counts of manslaughter.
The allegation against them is that on January 22nd, 2013 in the Mazaruni River, Essequibo, they dangerously dsteerd their boats and unlawfully killed Ricky Bobb, Keanu Amsterdam, Deon Moses, Kevon Ambrose, Christopher Ramnarine, Zahir Baksh, Jewan Seeram, Ulrick Grimes, Jermaine Calistro and Brazilian national Francisco Olivera Alves.
Testifying yesterday were Police Sergeant Khemron Alfred and former Detective Lance Corporal Latchman Mattai who said that they were present when the allegation was put to Persaud and Thomas respectively, who both described the tragedy as a “mishap.”
Alfred told the court that Persaud was told of the allegation of piloting his small open boat, Dube, 
which collided with another small open boat—the Mattrani, helmed by Thomas, thereby causing the death of the 10 persons.
To the allegation, the sergeant said Persaud replied, “officer, me nah kill dem people. Is a boat mishap.”
Mattai related a similar story to the court stating that when the allegation was put to Thomas of sailing the Mattrani in a dangerous manner causing the 10 deaths he replied, “It was a river mishap.”
Both officers said that the accused had voluntarily given the statements and that they had been cautioned in accordance with the judge’s rules that they were not under any obligation to say anything, and that whatever they said may be put into writing and given in evidence.
The court also heard yesterday from a number of other police officers, of the recovery of the 10 bodies in the days following the collision.
Meanwhile, emotional relatives recalled identifying their loved ones to the pathologist for autopsies.
The trial continues at 9 this morning before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the High Court in Suddie, Essequibo.
Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken in her opening address to the jury yesterday morning said that those who perished were all passengers of the Mattrani.
She said that the captains of the respective boats were negotiating a turn round an Island in the Crab Falls area when the collision occurred.
The collision which claimed the lives of the 10 is said to have occurred at about 12:30 on the night in question at Crab Falls; between the Dube and Mattrani, in the Mazaruni River.
The Dube was travelling from Parika to Puruni, while the Mattrani, was leaving Puruni and was destined for Parika via Bartica.
Persaud is being represented by defence attorney Dexter Todd, while Thomas is being represented by defence attorney Roger Yearwood.
