THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has initiated an investigation into the February 5 Cuyuni River boats collision, which claimed the life of a nine months old baby and injuries to her mother and father. Chief Navigation Officer, Michael Tennant told the Guyana Chronicle, yesterday, that a team, comprising senior officials, is expected to visit the area to further probe the incident in which two boats collided in the vicinity of Matub Back Channel.
Initially, the captains of the two vessels were taken into police custody to assist with the probe but released after the 72 hours statutory detention limit expired.
However, police said, yesterday, that the inquiries are ongoing.
The tragedy struck about 10:00 hrs on Sunday, February 5, resulting in the death of the girl, Sarah Simmonds.
Reports revealed that she was in the care of her 32-year-old mother, Nandanie Singh and father, George Simmonds, 34, of Bartica, travelling from Aranka to Bartica, along with the captain and three other persons, when their boat and another crashed.
The child died as a result while her mother and father were injured and admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Singh was discharged on Monday after undergoing a surgical operation, for which she was referred from Bartica Hospital.
She had been a patient in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), having suffered severe facial and other injuries.