Cuyuni River mishap: Body of captain recovered, search ongoing for two other missing men

The body of Lloyd Obermuller, one of the three men who went missing after the boat in which they were in collided with another in the Cuyuni River, has been found.

Relatives of Obermuller told the News Room on Tuesday that after hours of searching, the body of the 60-year-old labourer was found.

An autopsy is expected to be carried out.

The search is still ongoing for the two other missing men; their identities are not known at this time. They were passengers in Obermuller’s boat – a 19 feet wooden boat powered by a 75Hp Yamaha outboard engine.

Police headquarters reported that the incident occurred between 03:47hrs and 04:30hrs Monday.

The other boat that was involved in the mishap was a 17-feet wooden boat powered by a 40Hp Yamaha outboard engine. It was operated by Crees Boyde, a miner.

Reports are that Obermuller and Boyde would normally transport persons from Eteringbang Landing to San Martin Landing, Venezuela.

According to the police, inquiries revealed that on Monday morning, Obermuller was en route to San Martin with two passengers.

Around the same time, Boyde had left San Martin, Venezuela, en route to Eteringbang Landing.

“As they were both navigating across the river, the two boats collided, causing the passengers as well as Obermuller and Boyde to be flung into the river,” Police said.

Boyde was pulled out of the river by public-spirited persons. He suffered severe injuries to his right leg and minor injuries to his hands and was taken to Venezuela for medical attention.

The two boats as well as the engines have been lodged at the Eteringbang Police Station, as the investigation continues.