PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, during a visit to the Pomeroon yesterday, met relatives of those who perished in the Tuesday afternoon horrific boat accident on the Pomeroon River, and offered his

sympathy and words of encouragement to them.
President Ramotar, accompanied by Minister of Works and Transport Robenson Benn, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud, and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh visited the homes of the deceased and embraced relatives, offering support and comfort.
At the home of the deceased captain Harrynarine Bhagwandeen, the President embraced the weeping mother of the captain. The President told her that his government will offer whatever help and support is needed. The woman, who cried while speaking to the Head of State, said Harry was her only son who supported the family. She said she depended on Harry to look after herself and the family.
Wife of the deceased captain, Karen Harris said the death of Harry has shocked her so much that she cannot eat or sleep. According to Karen, she is heart-broken. They have one daughter, Angelie Bhagwandeen age 6. The grieving wife said she is a teacher at the Santa Rosa Primary School in Moruca and will come once every three months to spend time with her husband.
In tears, she told the President and team that the last time she spoke to her husband was at 15:30hrs Tuesday. She said there were several missed calls on her phone from him, at around 17:00hrs, just before he died.
The boat accident claimed the lives of six persons, Harrynarine Bhagwdeen; Velda Rodriques, 50; Shawn Anthony, 14; Rajkumar Singh, 14 and his sister Amerieta Singh, 10; and Vincent Singh, 42.
It was the most horrific accident on record to have occurred on the Pomeroon River, claiming so many lives at one time.
The boat in which they died, powered by a 150 hp outboard engine, reportedly crashed into a boat owned by the Region 2 Administration. It was transporting government officers, staff of the One Laptop Per Family Programme and Region 2 Chairman Parmanand Persaud when the accident occurred, at around 17:30hrs.
Captain Bhagwandeen reportedly died on the spot, as well as the five other passengers. One person is still missing. The incident has brought sadness and tears to residents of the Pomeroon, Charity and the entire coast.
No one in the Region 2 boat was hurt.