The body of 46-year-old Bartica boat captain Daniel Colinet was found yesterday morning in the Essequibo River.
The man was struck by lightning as he operated a speedboat laden with schoolchildren in the vicinity of Batavia on Monday afternoon.
His sister Vera Colinet told this newspaper yesterday that her worst fears were confirmed yesterday morning when her brother’s bloated body was discovered floating in the river, close to Makouria. The man’s body was found around 7 am.
She said her brother’s entire body bore burn marks, which suggested that he was incapacitated by the lightning, resulting in him drowning in the river. She said the regional administration with which he worked for a number of years, took responsibility for his funeral and other related expenses.
The man’s body was pulled out of the water and preparations for his burial commenced immediately. He was buried yesterday afternoon at the Bartica cemetery following a simple funeral service. His sister noted yesterday afternoon that her brother will be remembered as a free spirited individual who was always will to assist others.
On Monday afternoon, Colinet of West Indian Housing Scheme, in Bartica, Cuyuni/Mazaruni, was operating the speedboat in vicinity of the Cuyuni River mouth around 3.30 pm when he was struck by lightning.
The man grabbed one of the children, 13-year old Mark Klass and they both fell overboard.
The child managed to swim to the boat and he was pulled to safety by the others. He was subsequently taken to the Bartica Hospital for treatment and was subsequently transferred to the GPH. The young man is recovering from burn marks and other internal injuries and his condition is said to be improving.
