VICKY Persaud, 17, of Back Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara was scheduled to sit the upcoming Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations, but he drowned on Thursday after he reportedly fell into a canal at Lusignan Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

It is alleged that Persaud, who had a side job to assist his family, was with his employer and the man’s son when he went to the sideline canal to dump refuse.
Persaud did not know how to swim, nor did his employer or his employer’s son. Persaud reportedly attempted to wash his hands when he slipped into the swollen canal.

His employer and son attempted to rescue him, but they also nearly perished by drowning. They were rescued after their screams for help were heard by passersby, who responded promptly to their calls and pulled them to safety.

Persaud’s lifeless body was pulled from the canal about an hour after by a group of persons who went in search of him.

He is survived by his mother and two teenage siblings.