The bodies of two brothers who went missing on Sunday afternoon were fished out of the Demerara River at Linden yesterday just before midday.
Dead are 13-year-old Akeemo Fredericks of the Wisburg Annex School and 16-year-old Andre Fredericks of the Wisburg Secondary School.
Akeemo Fredericks
The two brothers left their 187 Third Street, Silvertown home on Sunday afternoon, despite a strict warning from their mother Lorraine McLennan. They had been left at home with their two older sisters Carencia Fraser, 19, and Casandra McLennan, 17, along with two younger brothers Akeel, 11, and Anphany 5 years old.
“Why they disobeyed me, why they disobey,” their distraught mother cried yesterday. The 39-year-old woman said she left for church on Sunday morning and returned home shortly after 2 pm. “When I get home I didn’t see them and I asked Carencia for them and she said that she ain’t know way dey deh,” recounted McLennan. She added that she immediately when in search of them around the neighbourhood, but did not find them.
She then went to several relatives in Wisroc and other areas in search of the two but they were not there.
Considering that the boys were football lovers she went to the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground where a football match was on where she once again searched for them. “After I didn’t find them I started getting really nervous because my children don’t ever stay away from home. I come over back the river and something tell me check along the riverside,” related McLennan. Her searches of the riverside from the bridge along Burnham Drive yielded nothing.
“When we reach to the head of me street I was about to turn in de street but something tell me fuh go down a little further. I didn’t even know they had a landing at the riverside opposite the hotel [River View International Hotel]. Then I see dey clothes on de landing soak and I tell Carencia deh dead,” she lamented.
A distraught Lorraine McLennan right and her aunt being comforted by friends shortly after the body of Akeemo was found.
McLennan said she ran down the street screaming and as neighbours came out she told them of her suspicion. A group of residents quickly gathered and a search for the boys was mounted. McLennan said that she summoned the police at the Wismar station but was told that the officer could not have left her post because she was the lone rank at the station at the time.
Despite the absence of proper lighting and the police presence residents search the edge of the river until approximately 11.15 pm to no avail. A larger team went out about 5.30 am yesterday.
Just about 9 am the body of Akeemo was spotted almost in the middle of the river a short distance from where their clothing was found. A man swam out a brought the body in. Andre’s lifeless body surfaced around noon in the vicinity of Dutchie’s boat landing.
Their mother said she was at home when she received a call indicating that one of the bodies had surfaced. “I can’t tell you how I felt at the time but I run out and see was Akeemo. Why my boys disobey me? Why my boys disobey me? Ah always tell them even if water cut off don’t go to de river fuh no water because river does kill. Why? Why they ain’t listen to me? Next month Akeemo woulda turn 14 years… and now he gone,” cried the bereaved mother.
Andre celebrated his 16th birthday on October 6.
McLennan said that the cause of her children’s deaths was even harder to bear because their father Andre Fredericks died by drowning at Kurupung on October 4, 2006 and was buried on October 13 the same year.
“I know wah happen to dey father mek I use to warn them. Before ah leff ah tell them don’t come out of de street and they ain’t listen to me. Why my boys disobey me? Tell me Jehovah why?” she wailed.
McLennan celebrated her birthday on October 4, the same day of the death of the children’s father.
Many condemned the late arrival of police ranks and also expressed the view that there is need to have a police boat returned to the area. They said that in the past, the Wismar police station was equipped with a boat.
“Is not only for this reason we need that boat back on the river,” one resident said. “But you don’t know how much boats does pass through this river with drugs and other illegal activities. They police got a lot of improvement to do in this town now that this Takutu bridge working.”
They also spoke negatively of the new Linden Hospital Complex which is not equipped with a mortuary; the existing one at the Upper Demerara Hospital is out of operation at the moment.
BOSAI’s workers came in for much praise for assisting in the search. Residents said that a crew was working a dredge in the river and took some time off to assist.
This is so heart breaking my heart goes out to the mother. Only a mother can understand the pain she is feeling
A financial donation of love would help alleviate her pains in this crisis. Any suggestion?
…They disobeyed because you told them not to…I can remember when i was younger and my mother told me…on many occasions not to leave the house to go and play, the first opportunity I got i would sneak out….Then there were times when I didn’t because she told me to go and I questioned her judgment thinking it was a set-up…You see boys will always be boys and you can’t have them locked up in a house like a little girl…that’s how we are we need to explore, go and catch fish, swim in the blacka, raid out neighbors mango and ginip trees and trouble girls..that’s what we are here for….
My sympathies goes out to the families and friends who are affected by this tragedy.
How about the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) spear-heading the setting up of Scout Groups in these areas “SandHurst First”; and, help teach these youngsters some survival skills (including swimming, boating, rescuing. The question is… has anyone tried to figure out what really might have happened… whether one of these boys found himself in trouble first and the other tried to rescue him and he himself perished!!! And, A classic case for adult supervision… after the facts.
Sincere condolences to the bereaved family at this time of their tragic loss.
I agree with you on the scout thing KG. Back in the day at linden, the YMCA used to train kids to swim and do rescue and ‘mouth to mouth’. Parents will never be with children 100% of the time and regardless of how obedient they are there is that moment when they slip. Myself and other kids used to stray down to the Demerara river and swim from McKenzie to Wismar and back even though we knew a murderous licking was in store for us if our parents found out.
This is a very unfortunate incident.
I read you loud and clear “EX GDF OFFICER”; and, with the “coconut broom” and “rafter tops” being the elements of correction after the all day “outing” in the back dam; and, up in mango and coconut trees not your parents and grand parents own.
Well, since you, me or others are not there.. then it would be up to the folks there to ensure that youths in that community are educated about the lurking dangers and are taught how swim… One never knows when this skill may come in handy in life as the life that is saved may be your very own.
Roger.
SH I hope that you are applying the same mothod to your children(if you have) a child must be allowed to be a child.Not only boys used to steal mangoes and ginnips girls did it too and I am a woman who was born in the early 50s.Very,very strict father and big brother. When I think of the way my father was (sort of a streight jacket but very quiet and loving) every time I recognise his habits that I have inhereted I make an instant CHECK. I never wanted my children to be afraid of me.I have spoiled my children ROTTON;They are no angels, but they DARN WELL know how far to go. they never want me to transform into NANA. Children have to respect and value their parents, not being afraid of them,children also have to have the room for discovery,make mistakes;its the parent duty to make sure that child learns from it, especially this generation that need extra guidance.
My sympathies to the family…..i agree with you KG ….many Guyanese don’t know to swim….in the ‘land of many waters’…i guess the thought was…..if you don’t know..you’ll avoid deep water….sadly the opposite always happens…..as seen here…..because the father died by drowning the mother didn’t want the kids nowhere near the water.
This is a very sad story but sadly not an uncommon one. My condolences to the bereaved family. Let’s hope that these drownings serve as a catalyst for more and safer recreational activities for the people of this area. Rest In Peace and may your souls find eternal comfort.
It so sad to read this story, my son’s birthday was the same as his, oct 6 as a lindener i give my condolence to this family in their grievance.
Didn’t know you were a Lindener? Anyhow as young boy growing up in Linden you were warned repeatedly not to swim in the river. As youth growing up i have seen many bodies fished out of that river and have seen people drown in it too.
This is a very very sad, two with one go.
The places i swam in Linden including that same river and some of the chances i took in Blue lake at the back of the radio station i would not do at this age and would not want my son to do without me around. There are too many deaths of young boys in these river and lakes and something needs to be done. what happened to bucktown, three-coker, bridge-up etc. aren’t they there still? I no icy is nolonger around.
My sympathy to the family.
Hey guys! Go to say this to ya all. As a youngster I grew up in certain village on the East Coast of Demerara; and, it was fun in duh canal just outside de yard. One day and all alone I got stuck between two planks while taking a dive in duh canal; anyway, with a little calm and wriggle I was able to make it to the surface; and, although I was awarded the Master Swimmer’s Badge in Scouting later in life – that was the last time I tried those escapades.
It must indeed be a sad day for this family. Perhaps, recreational “swimming pools” should be built in the Linden area.
Btw, co-incidentally the name “Kaieteur” (that famous water falls in Guyana); and, as legend has it “From Whence We Came So Shall We Return”.
And, may their souls Rest-In-Peace.
Yes pepie i’m a born lindener, and i used to swim in the river too, also at blue lake as well and all the other creeks in linden, and the sad thing he drowned in front of my brother’s place at the river view hotel.
All you guys from that area should know more about me because I left under the age of five;I was living on the top of the hill in Silver City, I can still remember going down to Hamilton Rashin Store to collect ice, going to the Glen to watch my elder brothers swim, they padding me up in a sand hole while they roll down the hill,They had to walk through a bushy path to school, there were also CUROO-CUROO TREE and Indians in the area. I went back once in 1997 on a school tour to the Bouxtie company.Tell me more about the one time Mackenzie and the steamer(was it the RH Car?) that used to travel from GT to Wismar. I am not quite sure but I think I used to see small planes landing in the water some where in the area.GONE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS
This is so sad and painful for this mother.RIP
Truly a very sad story. My condolences.
Wake Up Linden! And, Watch Out For The Children.
“It Rakes A Village To Raise A Child”!
“Fear JAH And Live”
Peace!
KG man and man must not live in fear, that’s not a good thing to do, fear does not let you live, it’s the fear make guyanese don’t want to rise in protest when it is called.
I am so sorry to read this first thing in the morning. I really feel your pain. may god give you the strength to cope and move on. My sympathies to the family. May their young souls rest in peace
It is so sad to hear the passing of Lorraine’s two sons. To loose one is alot much more too. Kids will be kids, at that age they are young and ofcourse would want to do fun and exciting things. This mother don’t have to be too hard on herself, she tried her best and God knows the time and the hour that we all have to pass this life.
God ways are not our ways and I pray for strength for this family as they go through this tragic time.
My hearfelt condolences goes out to the McLennan’s family.
Sympathies to this grieving mother,”why dey disobay me? Maybe they couldn’t help themselves,their father was calling them to the waterside,they are with him now,very sad.I wouldn’t even comment about the police,because their excuses about why they cannot do anything when persons go for help,has become the norm,its just disgusting!
A heart rending news story . Condolences to the family….