Survivors of the Pomeroon River mishap are still coming to grips with the traumatic events that led to the death of cameraman, Trevor Patrick, 48-years-old of Charity Housing Scheme.
They said they are counting their blessings to be alive after their horrific experience on November, 9.
There were seven passengers on the Adaman-tium Holdings-owned boat trailing President Irfaan Ali’s delegation. On board were the President’s communications officer, Dhanash Ramroop, and two cameramen, Keon Blades and Jose Cheddi from the Office of the President, all of whom were assigned to cover Ali’s Pomeroon visit and meeting with flood-affected farmers.
Twenty-seven-year-old Haiman Beharry of Adamantium Holdings described the experience as frightening and traumatizing. He said that, “everything happened so fast and there was just very little time to react.”
He added: “I got this thought that I would die right away, everything seemed so impossible and the water was pulling me I really don’t know what went wrong, but a plastic went into the propeller,” Beharry explained. He said that all he recalls is that the boat flipped with all of its passengers and in no time everyone was in the Pomeroon River.
“I remember I tried to get my long boots off as quickly and I could, and thankfully, it came off and I fight and fight to get out from under the boat, and once I did and floated up I noticed my worker Carlos and the driver screaming for help,” Beharry recalled. He said that everyone on the boat was equipped with safety jackets. Beharry said that after the other passengers began to resurface, they noticed that Patrick was missing. Rescuers and other persons quickly upturned the boat. Patrick was found, but according to Beharry, it was too late. Patrick was rushed to the Oscar Joseph Hospital in Charity but was pronounced dead.
Another survivor, Carlos Thornhill, also of Adamantium Holdings, remains in shock and is traumatized over the entire situation. He said that though he is happy to be alive, he is still saddened over the death of Patrick. Another survivor, Richard Benjamin, also remains distraught over the entire ordeal which led to the death of the cameraman.
