Essequibo pensioner drowns in canal at Mainstay

Police are investigating the suspected drowning of an 89-year-old pensioner whose body was discovered in a canal at Mainstay/Whyaka on the Essequibo Coast on Wednesday afternoon.

Dead is David France of Mainstay/Whyaka.

According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that France was last seen alive at his home at about 12:45 hrs on June 17. Relatives reported that he would usually bathe in a canal located approximately 120 feet east of his residence.

However, after France was not seen at home for several hours, checks were made for him. At about 15:30 hrs, he was subsequently found floating in the canal.

The pensioner’s body was removed from the water and taken to the Lima Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said an examination of the body revealed no visible marks of violence.

The body has since been transported to the Suddie Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.