Man missing, feared drowned in Barima River

A Venezuela-based Guyanese is feared dead after he went missing early Sunday morning following a boat mishap in the Barima River in the north west.

Police said that at around 2 am, Edward O’Neal, 25, reportedly fell out of the boat he was travelling in after it crashed into a piece of wood.  The boat was being captained by Kamal Hosea, 19, of Aruka River, North West District at the time of the mishap.

The men, police said, left Kumaka Landing and were heading up the river in a boat powered by a 75 hp engine in the corner of the river. As Hosea navigated through the waters, the boat crashed into a piece of wood and eventually ran into the bushes.

Hosea told police that when he looked around he did not see O’Neal and sounded an alarm for help. A resident responded and with the use of a torchlight they searched for O’Neal.

According to police, the resident who responded took Hosea to the Mabaruma Hospital where he is recovering from minor injuries.

Police and residents are currently leading search efforts to locate O’Neal.