Man drowns after slipping into canal near open koker

Raj Birsa, a 44-year-old contractor of Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, tragically drowned at around 19:00 hrs on Saturday.

According to police reports, Birsa had been consuming alcohol at a local shop when he got up to urinate near the main drainage canal in the area. He reportedly lost his balance and fell into the canal.

At the time, the koker (sluice) was open, and the water current was flowing in a northerly direction, which is believed to have drawn Birsa away from the point where he fell. The police were promptly summoned to the scene.

Upon arrival, a search party was formed with the assistance of residents. After approximately two hours, Birsa’s motionless body was recovered about 60 feet from the spot where he had fallen.
Police then escorted the body to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor and officially pronounced dead. A police examination of the body found no marks of violence.

Birsa’s body was later taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME).