Boatbuilder ‘Smirf’ dies in Pomeroon River boat collision

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 19:48 by Writer

A boat builder lost his life in a boat mishap on the Lower Pomeroon River on Monday shortly after a drinking spree, police said.

Dead is 20-year old Damion “Smirf” Fredericks of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon.

Investigators were informed that the vessel he was travelling in was reportedly involved in a collision with another vessel believed to have been operated by 24-year-old Joseph Melville, also a boat builder from Jacklow.

Police said Fredericks, Melville, and another man, Shane Narine, had been consuming alcohol earlier that evening at bars in Charity before departing in separate boats. Mr Melville reported to police that after retrieving his boat from a relative, he was travelling across the river when his vessel was struck, causing it to capsize.

“According to an eyewitness, who heard the collision from his home and responded by boat, Fredericks and Narine were found with head and facial injuries. Fredericks appeared unresponsive, while Narine was in a conscious state,” the Guyana Police Force said.

The eyewitness transported Narine to the Charity Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. Fredericks was pronounced dead on arrival at Charity Hospital, and his body was later taken to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

Melville received minor treatment at the hospital and was taken into police custody, police added.