Mazaruni river accident: one body recovered, search continues for other land surveyor

The body of Terrence Thomas, one of two land surveyors who went missing after the boat they were in sank in the Upper Mazaruni River, has been found.

Police Commander of Region Seven, Dion Moore, on Wednesday confirmed that the man’s body was found within the vicinity of Imbaimadai Landing, Region Seven. The post mortem examination to determine the cause of death is expected to be carried out on Wednesday, Commander Moore said.

Thomas, 29, of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown and Germaine La Rose, 34, of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden were reported missing and suspected to have drowned last week.

Police Headquarters reported that the incident occurred in the wee hours of November 10. Commander Moore said the search is continuing for La Rose.

According to reports, Romell Ramlakhan, a 32-year-old officer of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) stationed at Imbaimadai Landing was approached by the two men when they arrived on November 9 and related that they were there for work.

Police said La Rose requested to be accommodated at the GGMC quarters to which Ramlakhan agreed.

At about 03:00hrs on November 10, Ramlakhan said he observed La Rose and Thomas preparing for their journey to Kako Village in the Upper Mazaruni Region and told them to wait for daylight.

However, Thomas declined, noting the lengthy journey. Ramlakhan then dropped them on the hill by the riverside on an ATV vehicle and returned to the GGMC station.

The men then boarded a metal boat owned by GGMC along with 39-year-old Sherwin Wilson, a labourer of Mocha Village, East Bank Demerara and the unlicensed captain 46-year-old Romain Reece of Imbaimadai. But two minutes into their journey the boat began to take in water and as a result, Thomas and La Rose panicked and jumped overboard.

The other occupants managed to swim to safety by holding on to fuel tanks and later discovered that Thomas and LaRose were missing.

It was also revealed that none of the occupants of the boat were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. And Ramlakhan said he did not have any knowledge nor did he authorise anyone to use the GGMC boat and engine.