Cameraman drowns after boat with President’s media team capsizes in Pomeroon River

A boat transporting media workers and communication personnel from the Office of the President capsized in the Pomeroon River early Tuesday resulting in the death of a cameraman from Charity, Essequibo Coast.

Dead is Trevor Patrick, 48. The News Room understands that Patrick has been a cameraman for some 15 years and was mainly based in Essequibo, Region Two. He previously worked with RCA TV and was employed part-time with Radio Essequibo.

Director of Public Information, Edward Layne told the News Room that President Irfaan Ali was returning from the Lower Pomeroon where he had visited flood-affected communities and was heading to Charity.

The boat that capsized was trailing behind the President and included Patrick, the President’s Communications Officer Dhanash Ramroop and two of his cameramen, Keon Blades and Jose Cheddi, along with others.

It is not clear what caused the boat to “flip” according to Layne, who noted that a nearby boat came to the rescue and managed to pull everyone from the water.

Patrick, who was unresponsive, was rushed to the Charity Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The President’s team was flown to Georgetown where they will be medically examined.

Layne said he was informed that Patrick worked as a freelancer. President Ali remains in Charity where he is meeting with the victim’s wife and other relatives.

The police are investigating the cause of the accident.