A popular boat operator tragically lost his life after falling into the Essequibo River.
Elton Wong, the forty-four-year-old boat operator was pushing a boat out from the Supenaam wharf when he slipped and fell overboard, hitting himself on the way down.
He was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he underwent several scans. He was later transferred to the George-town Public Hospital where he succumbed. He was a father of four and has been in the trade over 10 years.
Information disclosed that Wong was experiencing severe pains in his stomach and the scans were not available at the Suddie Public Hospital.
This newspaper was informed that Wong was transferred after the Suddie Public Hospital was not equipped to deal with his condition. He was transferred by ambulance on the “Sabanto” ferry. The ferry usually takes 3-4 hours since it is working on one engine.
Relatives of the deceas-ed believed that if prompt medical attention was given to Wong his life would have been saved.
“If he was airdashed he won’t have died, the boat system is delayed and taking patients is time-consuming, the water ambulance could have been used too, Wong life was snatched away too early” a relative said.
The father was the only breadwinner for his family. His body is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
