-boat hit log, survivors spent two hours in water

An early morning accident which occurred at the Moruka River mouth yesterday resulted in the death of an 11-year-old boy.

His 17-year-old  brother remains hospitalized at the Kumaka District Hospital at Moruka.

According to reports, the deceased, identified as Leon Edwards, of Waramuri was at the time sitting at the back of a passenger boat which was proceeding to Charity from Moruca. Imani Baichoo, who was a passenger in the boat involved in the mishap, told Stabroek News  yesterday that the boat picked her up at her village, Waramuri, about 10 minutes after  leaving  the ‘water front’ at Moruka. She said shortly after, around 6:20 am, the boat’s engine hit a log which had fallen across the river.

Baichoo said on hitting the log, the boat’s 200 hp engine fell into the vessel, striking Edwards to the right side of his head while his elder brother, Ralph Edwards, who was sitting near to him, sustained injuries to parts of his body in the process.

According to the police, the deceased suffered chop wounds to his head from the boat’s propeller.

Baichoo said she and other passengers spent some two hours on the water before persons came to their assistance.

Edwards was reportedly travelling with his father and his elder brother at the time and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Charity Hospital.