Body of captain who crashed into father’s boat recovered

Terry La Cruz, the 26-year-old man who went missing following a boat collision in the Aruka River, was speeding and although his father tried to signal him by flashing a torchlight, he collided with the vessel.

In an interview with the News Room on Wednesday, Percy Thomas said he witnessed the accident which claimed the life of his son.

“I feel bad…We was going home from church…I living on the left hand of the Aruka River going up and when I go across fah go into we landing, I saw a speed boat coming, full speed down and we signal the light, like he (Terry) ain’t see the light and he slam straight into our boat,” Thomas explained.

At the time of the accident, Thomas said he didn’t know it was his son and following the collision, efforts were made to locate La Cruz’s body but they were futile.

Thomas said after stabilizing his boat, which began to drift, he flashed his light and it was then he realised that the boat belonged to his son.

“We stop the engine and look out to hear any noise or anything but we ain’t see nothing…to see if anybody fighting up or anything but we ain’t see nothing,” a distraught Thomas said.

The body of La Cruz of Aruka, North West District, was recovered around 19:30 hrs Tuesday in the Aruka River.

Police said the accident occurred at about 21:20 hrs Sunday. La Cruz was the lone occupant of his vessel.