– after wandering for five days following brutal pirate attack

SIX days after he was brutally beaten and thrown overboard by pirates in Suriname, a Guyanese fisherman identified as “Sherwin” has miraculously survived. He was rescued on Thursday.

Reliable sources in Suriname confirmed the man was taken to the Academic Hospital in Paramaribo for treatment by Surinamese police and health officials.

He is said to be in a semi-conscious state, and according to reports, he was on the same vessel with Glenroy Jones, 20, one of the 16 men who went missing following the brutal attack.

According to reports out of Suriname, the man allegedly floated ashore and wandered about for the past five days hoping to see another vessel.

He eventually reached an area called Braamspunt where he was picked up by a boat and taken to Paramaribo where he is receiving treatment.

Sources have confirmed his clothing was blood stained and he had several marks of violence about his body.

His rescue has given renewed hope to family members who are still uneasy with the Surinamese authorities for not acting sooner. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Jennel, the sister of Glenroy Jones, said her brother was in the same boat with Sherwin and she is praying that he too is alive.

“Sherwin was on the same boat as my brother and if the police in Suriname had listened to us from the beginning, they could have found more people alive instead of now trying to go and collect bodies,” Jennel said.

On Wednesday, four bodies were found and relatives have since gathered at the docks, hoping to get a glimpse of their lost loved ones.

However, this publication’s source in Suriname related that they are having a long wait since retrieval of the bodies is taking longer than expected due to their location.

“The police tell we that the bodies are on a flat and they have to wait until the tide raise before they can get there. I only hope by the time they reach the tide don’t move the body away,” the source revealed.

In the wake of the tragedy, many corporate citizens have come on board to help in the search of the missing men. Some have been keeping vigil at the docks while others are using their boats, planes and other means to help in the search.

The Federation of Surinamese Farmers has also started a fund-raising campaign after recognising that the men were the breadwinners of their families.

They have set up Account#167163501 at the Surinamese Post Savings Bank where monetary donations can be made that will be used to help the relatives of those affected. In addition, persons can donate food items at their office in Letitia Vriesde laan No.9.

Between Friday night and Saturday morning, four boats with 16 fishermen were attacked by pirates. Five have so far emerged alive while four have been discovered dead on Wednesday. Among the four, Ganesh Persaud called “Vickey” of Number 2 Village, East Canje Berbice has been brought ashore.

The missing includes Vickey Persaud, Ramesh Sanchara, Glenroy Jones, Tikaknauth Mohabir, Randy Burnette, Bobby Ibrahim, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony Couchman, Rajkumar Bissesar, Sunil called “Paddock” and Olenski Maxwell.

As the region mourns the horrific incident, there are reports of another attack in an area called Matapica River, an area between the Wia Wia and Braamspunt where Sherwin was found.

Reports indicate that the captain of the vessel was fatally shot. The whereabouts of his four-member crew are unknown and Surinamese Police and Coast Guard have been deployed to the location. They are expected to bring the boat ashore.