EIGHT persons, including the captain of an unregistered boat, were injured on Tuesday afternoon when two vessels collided head-on in the vicinity of Pat Walla, Canje Creek, Berbice.
The incident occurred around 14:30 hours as a private boat carrying a Ministry of Health and Social Services medical outreach team collided with the unregistered vessel, which was powered by a 40-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine.
Police said initial investigations revealed that the medical team, comprising eight medical personnel, had departed Barakara Creek at about 13:00 hours aboard the private boat, which was captained by a 35-year-old man from Kimbia.
The unregistered boat, captained by a 38-year-old Guyanese security guard from Barakara Creek, was reportedly travelling towards Barakara Village with eight passengers, including several children, when the collision occurred.
The injured persons were escorted to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where they were examined by the doctor on duty. The captain of the unregistered boat was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for further medical treatment.
The other seven passengers from the unregistered vessel remain at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital under observation.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are continuing.