Last updated on Saturday, 19 December 2020, 12:47 by Denis Chabrol
A 38-year-old woman and her two-year-old grandson, Friendship Canal Lower, drowned Pomeroon River late Friday night as they headed home in a wooden balahoo with a 75 Horse Power (HP) engine driven by her drunken husband, police said.
The boat was driven by her husband, Riley Gill, 42.
Police said, between 11:30 PM Friday and midnight at Friends Canal Lower Pomeroon River. Investigators were told the woman left home around 8 PM on Friday to drink rum with several friends in Burn Bush, Lower Pomeroon in the company of her husband and grandson.
“On returning home, the deceased, who was very drunk, reported on entering the Friendship Canal that a coconut press had hit the engine propeller and lost control of the engine handle which caused the boat hit the left bank edge. from the river and the boat crashed, ”police said.
Investigators were informed that his wife and grandson were trapped underneath him, but failed in his attempt to pull them out from under the boat. The man said several people responded to his call for help and that his wife and grandchildren were taken out of the ship in an unconscious state.
They were found dead on arrival at Oscar Joseph District Hospital. Police said no marks of violence were seen on their bodies and no foul play was suspected. Autopsies must be conducted to officially determine the cause of death.