Labourer falls off Charity wharf, presumed drowned

Police at Charity are investigating reports that a man, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, fell into the Pomeroon River and apparently drowned at around 1 pm yesterday.

According to reports, Andrew Miguel, 39, of Manawarin, was sitting at the Farmers’ Wharf, Charity, Essequibo Coast and was under the influence of alcohol when he toppled into the river.

One eyewitness told Stabroek News that he too was sitting on the wharf when he overheard Miguel ask a boat captain to take him home. “I hear the boatman tell him that he gon have to pay $2000 and then he gone and sit down at the edge of the wharf there and then all I hear is prab!” the eyewitness said. “And when we watch all we see he bubbling going down,” he added.

Rose Miguel
Rose Miguel

The police were summoned and a man dived in to search for Miguel, but he was not found.

Meanwhile, when this publication made contact with his wife, 34-year-old Rose Miguel, she said she had travelled to Charity earlier in the day and was at home at Teneze Ferme where her husband works, when she heard of the incident.

“We from Manawarin but me husband does work at Teneze Ferme so we does live there and we come up this morning to buy some things and then Andrew gone and tek he lil drink,” Rose said. “Round 11 [am] me gone to tell he that me ready to go home and he say that me mus go ahead because he nah ready.”

She was at home around 3 pm, when a boat stopped and she was told by the captain that her husband had drowned.

“Me come up right away when me hear the news and gone to the police station,” the visibly distraught woman said.

The area at the Farmers’ Wharf where Andrew Miguel toppled.
The area at the Farmers’ Wharf where Andrew Miguel toppled.

The Miguels had been married for 16 years and have 8 children.