POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 19-year-old miner, Renaldo Rampersaud, who lost his life on Monday, when the boat he was travelling in purportedly sank after it started to take in water.

According to police reports, the incident occurred around 16:00 hours between Luw Luw Island Point and Banana Landing, Middle Mazaruni.
In outlining the specific details of the incident, the police said Rampersaud and another male, who both worked on a dredge at Cashew Creek Backdam, left the backdam around 15:00 hours in a woodskin boat (canoe) and went to Banana landing, where they purchased some items from a shop.

Police said while the men were paddling the canoe on their way back, in the vicinity of Luw Luw Island Point, it began taking in water and subsequently sank.

Rampersaud’s colleague managed to swim to shore, but he reportedly went under and never resurfaced.
A search party was launched and at about 16:50 hours, the body of Renaldo was recovered by his brother Joshua Williams within the same area he went under.

The body is currently awaiting transportation to Bartica then to Georgetown for autopsy, as investigations continue.