Tour boat with two dozen capsizes

A pleasure trip to Marshall Falls, Mazaruni River turned into terror yesterday when the boat capsized after the propellers got entangled on a wire rope that was securing a dredge to shore, throwing the two dozen passengers into the rapids and leaving one man missing.

The search for Haimchand Manram called ‘Uncle Ray’, a farmer of Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara was called off late yesterday and is expected to resume today.

The incident occurred just before mid-day yesterday when the boat –the ‘Delta’ – was heading up the rapids to a campsite. The party consisted of locals and their US-based relatives.

The ‘Delta’ was captained by Balkarran Bhagwandas, who was described as very experienced as he has been running the tours for a number of years.

He is based in Bartica. The Brazilian owner of the dredge was up to last evening being questioned by police at the Bartica police station.

The tourists had made the arrangements for the trip on Sunday. Reports reaching Stabroek News are that the ‘Delta’ was heading up some rapids after the tourists, who had just finished viewing Marshall Falls, requested to go to the campsite run by Bhagwandas. There were about 25 people on board, including Manram. Water levels in the Mazaruni River are high at this time.

Stabroek News was told that at the same time, a river dredge, owned by a Brazilian was being guided up the rapids.

An anchor rope held it fast to the shore while power boats pushed it up the falls.

As the ‘Delta’ began to make its way up the rapids, the propellers got entangled with the wire rope and the vessel capsized throwing the touring party into the roaring rapids.

However, all were wearing lifejackets as this was a strict rule of Bhagwandas, a relative said. There were children on board, including a nine-month-old baby boy.

Stabroek News was told that the operators of the power boats immediately sprang into action rescuing all the passengers except Manram who was not seen after the boat capsized. The passengers were rushed to the Bartica Hospital where they were treated and seven were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

They arrived at the medical institution at around 2:25pm.

A hospital source said that they had no visible signs of trauma but staff were informed of the near-drowning. Those treated and sent away were Adelisa Persaud, David Etwaru, 18, Anil Parbudial, 13, Gabriella Persaud, 10, and Romana Persaud, 17. Roma Persaud, 49, and the nine-month-old baby boy were still being treated late yesterday and doctors were contemplating admitting them for observation.

Worried relatives of Manram said last night that they had little details on the incident and were worrying and waiting for more news to come.

A relative of Bhagwandas was critical of the placement of the anchor rope. “He (the Brazilian) should have proper demarcation as to where his anchor rope is,” she said. Police are continuing investigations into the matter.