POLICE have recovered the body of Edward O’Neal, 25, a fisherman who went missing in the Barima River after a boat mishap in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The body which was recovered on Tuesday was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital and is awaiting a post-mortem examination. The Barima River is a tributary of the Orinoco River, entering six kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. It originates in Guyana and flows for approximately 340 kilometres before entering Venezuela, about 80 kilometres from its mouth

Police said initial reports indicate that O’Neal, along with 19-year-old Venezuela-based Guyanese, Kamal Jose, of Aruka River, North West District, were intoxicated when they left the Kumaka landing in a boat powered by a 75hp engine.

It is reported that the boat struck a log and veered into nearby bushes. Jose told police that he then looked around for O’Neal but did not see him.
He called for help and a nearby resident came out with torchlights and they both began searching for O’Neal, but failed to find him.

The resident then took Jose to Mabaruma Hospital where he is recovering from minor injuries.