Captain airlifted to city after fatal Barima River accident

Leroy Caravio, captain of the speed boat that was involved in the Barima River accident on Tuesday that resulted in the death of Shavone Anthony, was airlifted to the city for medical treatment yesterday afternoon.

His sister Bissondai Singh told Stabroek News that he was taken to a private hospital after he was transferred from the Mabaruma Hospital.

Caravio sustained head injuries during the mishap and was bleeding from his ears while he was a patient at the Mabaruma Hospital.

His sister stated that the bleeding has since stopped and he is now recovering since his transfer.

Caravio, his brother and six other persons were in the vessel when it collided with a log in the Barima River. Anthony, who drowned in the ordeal, was the girlfriend of Caravio’s brother.

The boat was transporting passengers from Port Kaituma to Kumaka while it was raining.  A piece of log floating in the river was not seen by the captain, who steered into its path, hitting the bow of the boat.

The vessel then came to a stop in a clump of bushes along the river bank and Anthony was discovered missing. Her body was retrieved the next day while those who survived the ordeal were treated at the hospital and sent away.