A Northern Hogg Island, Essequibo family is mourning the death of a one-year-old, who drowned in a trench close to their home on Thursday afternoon.
The dead child has been identified as Saif Baksh.
According to reports from the community, around 2.30 pm, the child’s aunt, Shazeena Baksh, was at her mother’s residence grinding peppers while the child was left playing in the yard. Saif, this newspaper understands, would usually stay at his grandmother’s place, while his parents are at work.
Shazeena related that she later realized that Saif was nowhere to be seen. A container that he was playing with was, however, found in a trench located about 40 to 50 feet away from the house.
She immediately informed the child’s mother and they began to search for him. While searches around the yard and in the house came up empty-handed, Saif’s grandmother later found his body in the nearby trench.
The boy was rushed to the Suddie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police were summoned and the body was examined, however, there were no visible marks of violence.
Saif’s body was taken to the hospital mortuary to await a post-mortem examination, which is scheduled to be conducted sometime this week.
