A BOAT accident in Moruka River, North West District, has left one person dead and another critically injured.

The deceased is 11-year-old Leon Edwards, whose 17-year-old brother, Ralph Edwards, also of Grant Tenneze Ferme, Lower Pomeroon River, suffered serious injury.

Reports said they were travelling in a 20 feet vessel when its 200 horse power (hp) engine hit a tree in the water around 06:30 h yesterday morning.

The impact caused the motor to break from the stern and catapult into the midst of the passengers.

Arnold Edwards said he and his sons were on their way home yesterday morning when the tragedy occurred not far from Moruka River mouth.

He said it was raining and the two boys were in the back seat where the spinning propeller chopped them in their heads, necks and shoulders.

The father said the siblings were immediately rushed to Moruka Public Hospital where the pre-teen was pronounced dead. The other victim was up to press time admitted at the Kumaka District hospital in Moruka.

Police, in a statement on the accident, said its investigations have revealed that the boat which was powered by a 200hp engine was transporting passengers from Moruka to Charity during heavy rainfall.

“The engine hit a floating log, broke off and ended up in the boat, as a result (Leon) Edwards sustained a chop to his head by the propeller, which also chopped Ralph Edwards, 17 years, to his back,” the police said.

The body of the boy who succumbed was taken to Charity Hospital mortuary and the man who was driving is in custody at Moruka Police Station, assisting with the investigations into the death.