Richard Bowens, an 87 year old pensioner, is now dead following a river mishap this morning at the Bartica Stelling, Essequibo River. That incident involved two boats.
The Police are reporting that one of the boats involved in the mishap is a passenger boat which plies the Bartica to Parika route and was captained by Jules Benjamin, a 50 year old from Parika, East Bank Essequibo, while the other is a small wooden boat which was powered by a 15 HP outboard engine and captained by Richard Bowens, age 87 years, a Pensioner of Karrau Village, Essequibo River.
Benjamin told the police he departed Parika Stelling with 23 passengers enroute to Bartica. On his journey, close to Bartica, he saw Richard Bowens boat about 700 meters in front of him heading also towards Bartica. As he reached closer to the boat, he said that Bowens suddenly changed his course and collided with his boat which caused Bowens engine to fall off the stern and into the water. A nearby boat then rendered assistance and took the injured Bowens to the Bartica Hospital where he succumbed whilst receiving medical attention. The body is awaiting a Post Mortem examination and Maritime Administration has also been engaged. Benjamin is in custody assisting with the investigation.