More than nine months after Pomeroon River farmer Ryan Khayum lost his life in an accident involving a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) vessel, a soldier was yesterday formally charged with manslaughter and released on $300,000 bail.
Junior Farias, 29 of Section 7‘C’ Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was not required to plead to the charge when he appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Bail was granted on the condition that he report to the Grove Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The matter was adjourned until February 22nd.
Farias was arrested by the police on Friday.
The accident occurred on April 20th, 2020 at Martindale, Lower Pomeroon River
The GDF had said it was investigating a marine accident involving a Coast Guard vessel, GDFS HAWK 1028, which was returning from Charity, Essequibo, to the Floating Base.
Although it has been alleged that Coast Guard ranks were under the influence of alcohol, the results of breathalyser tests that were reportedly administered have not been released.
Public-spirited citizens at the Charity Wharf rushed to the scene after hearing of the accident and rescued Khayum’s wife, Chandinie Khayum and two workers but were unable to find Ryan’s body.
His body was found floating a few days later in the Pomeroon River, a short distance away from the crash site.
An uncle, Ramroop Mahase had previously told Stabroek News that the boat collision occurred at Martindale, Pomeroon River, where Chandinie had stopped to make a payment to an avocado farmer.
As they were leaving the farmer’s landing, he said, the Coast Guard vessel hit them from behind.
Chandinie had accepted a $4 million+ compensation package from the GDF last year.
The woman had initially rejected an offer of $3.4 million offered by the army, saying that it was not enough to cover her losses and that the amount offered then did not take into consideration the fact that a life was lost.
