A family reunion in the Essequibo River on Sunday turned tragic when a boat in which family members and friends of a Georgetown-based family were travelling sank, resulting in the death of a 22-year old woman. Dead is Michelle Benjamin, of Gordon Street, Kitty, an employee of Guyana Water Incorporated.
According to a police release, the boat, with 10 passengers, was travelling from Bird Island to Aliki, East Bank Essequibo, when, around 15:20 hrs, the vessel began to take water and the occupants panicked and jumped overboard. With assistance from persons on another boat, nine of them were rescued, but Michelle Benjamin is believed to have drowned.

The captain of the vessel has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.