THE police, relatives and friends of late miner, 23-year-old Kelton Benjamin, are searching desperately for his body after he disappeared in the Pomeroon River on Sunday night at about 19:30 hours.

The incident occurred while the boat in which Benjamin was travelling collided with another vessel that was powered by two 200 hp engines a short distance from the Charity Farmers’ Stelling.

Reports are that the young Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast resident was travelling with his sister, Keralisa Benjamin, and other church members to attend a service at Friendship, in the Lower Pomeroon River.

The impact of the collision between the two boats caused Kelton to be tossed into the dark river amidst the panic and confusion that descended on survivors of the accident, according to his grieving sister.

She said passengers started to scream after they learnt that her brother had been pitched into the river and could not be found.

Reports are that Police and relatives searched all day Monday without finding the body. The search continued yesterday, but up to late afternoon, the body was still not recovered.

Relatives have also used private divers to try and locate the body under the water, but that has also proved unsuccessful so far.

The captain of the boat which collided with the one in which Kelton Benjamin had been travelling is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Neither boat was reportedly carrying a light at time of the accident.

(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)