Family trip gone wrong: Speedboat capsizes en route to Fort Island

A family trip was halted on Monday when the boat they were in capsized in the Essequibo River moments after it left the Parika Stelling, on the East Bank of Essequibo, Region Three.

The News Room understands that relatives, who are on vacation in Guyana, hired a Captain from Leguan to take them to Fort Island which is located at the mouth of the Essequibo River and bears an imprint of the Dutch in the form of two important structures – the Court of Policy and Fort Zeelandia.

Relatives said soon after the boat left the stelling at around 11:00 hrs, the captain tried to override a huge wave when the boat capsized. A nearby boat rescued everyone.

According to one of the passengers, Diya Seenauth, she was pinned under the boat and was forced to hold her breath for some time before being rescued.

She said that she thought it was the end of her life.

The family members are now in a traumatized state and spent time consoling each other.