THE treacherous depth of the ‘Blacka’, part of the Lama Canal that separates two southern sections of Greater Georgetown, has claimed another life.
The latest victim is 13-year-old schoolboy, Stephen Bidajhar, of Lot 24 James Street, Albouystown, whose relatives were still shell-shocked yesterday, after he encountered difficulties and drowned in the water there, on Wednesday.
A post mortem examination on his body is expected to be performed today.
His sister, Nicky Bidajhar told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that she received the sad news at about 15:30 hrs on Wednesday and, by the time she arrived at the scene, the corpse had been wrapped in plastic.
She said they learnt that Stephen had left school after writing an examination, sometime after 15:00 hrs, but, instead of returning home, he went with some schoolmates to the Lama Canal area and played a game of football before taking a swim.
Nicky Bidajhar said, when the game ended, her sibling had been swimming for about half of an hour and developed cramps in his legs.
He called out for help and, although several persons were in the vicinity, none of them rushed to his aid, except for two schoolboys who took the plunge and hauled him out, barely breathing. But he succumbed at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Relatives are of the opinion that, if cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was preformed on the lad, he might have survived.
They were, however, grateful to the teens, who, eventually, dived into the water to rescue Stephen.
Over the years, the ‘Blacka’ has attracted many people, particularly youths, to swim in it but several died while swimming.
The East Ruimveldt Secondary School student was described as a good swimmer and had been to the Lama Canal once before. He was also an avid football and cricket player, willing and obedient, others said.
His parents were assisting the Police with investigations when the Guyana Chronicle visited but his siblings, two sisters and a younger brother, were mourning and cried over the loss of their loved one, in the presence of several other relatives and neighbours.
A black flag flew on the verandah of the dead boy’s home.