A tragic boating accident on the Berbice River has left a father and son feared dead after their vessel capsized on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM in the vicinity of Everton, East Bank Berbice.
The missing men have been identified as:
- Rajindra Singh, 63 years old
- Detesh Singh, 24 years old (son of Rajindra)
Both are residents of Number Three Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice.
According to police reports, the Singhs were part of a group of five men returning from an iguana hunting trip when disaster struck. The other occupants of the boat were:
- Sirjoo Persaud (captain), 48 years old
- Mahatma Dhanraj, 37 years old
- A man identified only as “Mark”
The survivors reported that they had departed from the Number Four Blairmont sluice around 8:30 AM on Friday in a 15-foot wooden boat powered by a 15 horsepower outboard engine. During the hunting expedition, the men had allegedly been consuming alcohol.
Captain Persaud told investigators that around 1:30 PM, while returning home near Everton, a large wave struck the boat, causing it to take on water. In the ensuing panic, one of the Singhs reportedly jumped overboard before the vessel fully capsized, plunging all occupants into the river.
While Persaud, Dhanraj and Mark managed to swim safely to shore, the father and son were not seen again after going overboard.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, with police and Coast Guard personnel scouring the area. However, only the capsized boat has been recovered so far.
As night fell on Friday, hopes dimmed for finding the missing men alive. The search efforts are expected to resume at first light on Saturday morning.
This incident highlights the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol, especially in areas prone to rough water conditions. As investigations continue, authorities are urging all boat operators and passengers to prioritize safety and avoid consuming alcohol when on the water.
