Unregistered boat captain among eight injured in Canje Creek collision

Eight persons were injured following a head-on collision between two boats in the vicinity of Pat Walla, Canje Creek, Berbice, on Tuesday, police said.

The collision occurred at about 14:30 hrs and involved an unregistered boat powered by a 40 HP Yamaha outboard engine, captained by a 38-year-old Guyanese male security guard of Barakara Creek, Berbice River, and a private boat captained by a 35-year-old of Kimba that was transporting a Ministry of Health and Social Services medical outreach team.

Initial investigations revealed that the medical team departed Barakara at about 13:00 hrs with eight medical personnel, while the unregistered boat, carrying eight passengers, was en route to Barakara Village when the two vessels collided.

The captain of the unregistered boat was among those injured and was transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for further medical treatment. The remaining seven injured passengers were taken to New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where they were examined by a doctor on duty and remain under observation.

Investigations are continuing.