Linden man dies moments after he jumped into creek to escape beating

A 40-year-old man from Linden, Region 10, died early Thursday morning, moments after he jumped into a creek to escape a group of people who pounced on him.

Police Headquarters say they are treating the death of Kevin Surfin as an “alleged murder”; the man’s body bore a small wound to his abdomen, in the region of his heart.

In a statement, Police Headquarters reported the incident occurred at Speightland Village, Lower Kara Kara at about 05:00 hrs.

Surfin, a construction worker, went to a birthday party in the area at around 23:45 hrs on Wednesday; he was accompanied by his 29-year-old girlfriend.

According to the woman, she left Surfin standing with several of her friends (names withheld) while she went to purchase cigarettes at the bar.

When she returned about five minutes later, she observed a group of about 15 persons, three of whom she identified, assaulting Surfin.

During the altercation, Surfin managed to jump into a nearby creek to avoid his assailants. He eventually came out of the creek and immediately collapsed.

He was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead. Upon examination, a small wound was seen to the region of the man’s heart and a bruise above his left eye.

The body is presently at the Pension Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.