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Captain killed in speedboat collision

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

Ganesh Roopnarine

A speed boat captain was Friday afternoon killed when two boats collided on the Essequibo River just off the Supenaam creek, authorities said.

The dead man has been identified as 29-year old Ganesh “Shines” Roopnarine of Barnwell, East Bank Essequibo. No one else was injured in the mishap.

An eyewitness, Desmond Fortune, said that about 4:45 speedboat “Water Girl” had already departed the Supenaam landing when the vessel’s engine developed problems.

“Water Girl” was taking 18 passengers and the two-member crew to Parika.

The captain stopped the boat just at the mouth of the creek and was about to take off the engine’s cover when another boat with five passengers that was leaving for Wakenaam slammed into “Water Girl”, according to Fortune.

The eyewitness said Roopnarine, who was wearing a lifejacket, was struck on his head and tossed overboard. The father of a one year old child was taken out of the water and rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.