The body of a 23-year-old man was recovered on Thursday, almost a full two days after his boat capsized in the Mahaicony River during a test drive.
The dead man has been identified as Michael Saffee, of Grove, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that the incident occurred around 17.05 hrs on Tuesday. Saffee’s body was discovered floating on the southern side of the Mahaicony River around 9.50am Thursday morning.
The owner of the boat, Vishan Harrypersaud, called ‘Banky’, 53, was also in the boat when it capsized. However, he managed to swim to a river bank and was subsequently picked up by a passing boat.
According to a police report, the men were conducting a test drive of the metal boat, which has a 48hp outboard engine.
The report said that while they were about one mile away from the Mahaicony Stelling, the boat suddenly capsized.
Harrypersaud reported to police that he managed to swim to a river bank but he did not see Saffee.
“Shortly after, Vishan was picked up by a passing boat, which took him to the Stelling at Central Mahaicony where he went to Mahaicony Police Station and made a report,” the police report stated.
A search was later launched for Saffee and his body was recovered by his father. It was escorted to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead.
A team of police officers visited the scene and noticed a chain tied to a tree trunk. The boat and engine, which were next to it, were submerged.
