A boat crash in the Moruca River, Region One (Barima-Waini) yesterday claimed the lives of two teachers of St Bede’s Primary School, while another individual and a baby have been hospitalised.
The deceased teachers were identified as 18-year-old Adrian Thomas of Kumaka Road, Santa Rosa and Helen Raybai of Waikrebi Village in the Moruca subregion.
Police said the incident occurred in the Moruca River at about 06:30 hrs yesterday. It involved a GDF Coast Guard Radar Craft RC 17, under the command of a sergeant, assisted by two other ranks and a civilian boat with four occupants.
A police press release said that the Coast Guard vessel was en-route to Santa Rosa and collided with the civilian boat whilst negotiating a turn. The civilian boat was en-route to Charity and was captained by Thomas. The other occupants were Raybai, her three-month-old baby and Shelly Allen.
According to the police press release, Allen and Raybai’s three-month-old baby survived the impact and were escorted to Charity Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. The personnel on the Coast Guard vessel did not report any injuries. The Coast Guard vessel was damaged and is currently at the base in the Pomeroon River.
A GDF release said that Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force extended their sincere condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.
The Ministry of Education also expressed sympathy at the deaths of the teachers. “Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and the entire educational community affected by this devastating loss. We offer our sincerest condolences during this difficult time,” it said in a statement.
The People’s National Congress Reform in a press release called on the relevant authorities to launch an investigation into the incident, noting that Thomas was also a student at the Cyril Potter College of Education.
Arlene Atkinson, the mother of Thomas, told Stabroek News that her son was heading to Charity along with the school’s treasurer (Raybai), to run errands for the school since they were responsible for the Ministry of Education’s school feeding programme. The teachers were preparing for the reopening of school on Monday.
Atkinson explained that her son would usually use the boat as transportation to school and other parts of the region. The bereaved mother mentioned that she is a single parent who raised Thomas and his brother. Thomas was described as energetic and friendly.
“I feel real hurt but God knows best. My son was so respectable,” Atkinson lamented.
