POLICE are investigating a fatal river mishap that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Damion “Smirf” Fredericks on Monday, June 23, in the Lower Pomeroon River.
Fredericks, a boat builder, was involved in a collision with another vessel reportedly operated by 24-year-old Joseph Melville, also a boat builder from Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon. According to reports, the two men, along with Shane Narine, had been drinking at bars in Charity earlier that evening before departing separately on their boats.

Melville told police that after retrieving his boat from a relative, he was crossing the river when his vessel was struck, causing it to capsize.
An eyewitness, who heard the collision from his home and responded by boat, found Fredericks and Narine with head and facial injuries. Fredericks was unresponsive, while Narine was conscious. The eyewitness immediately transported Narine to Charity Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

Fredericks was pronounced dead on arrival at Charity Hospital. His body was subsequently transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary, pending a post-mortem examination.
Melville sustained minor injuries and was treated at the hospital before being taken into police custody. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.