….errant operator sped away from scene-eyewitnesses
A River’s View, Essequibo River family is mourning the loss of their loved one after he was ran over by a speedboat heading to Bartica from Parika .
Dead is Richard Bowen, called ‘Uncle John’ who was said to be in his mid-80s.
Reports are that around 11:30hrs on Monday, Bowen was in his small boat powered by a 15 horse power engine, heading along the river to his workplace near Bartica, when a much faster boat hit him from behind. He died almost instantly.
But persons nearby were amazed when the errant boat sped away after hitting Bowen.
Persons familiar with the accident told the Village Voice News the owner of the speed boat service alleged that he never gave permission to the errant captain to operate the boat. On the contrary, the Toshao of River’s View reported the matter to the police at Bartica to ensure the family of the victim receives justice.
At the time of his demise, Bowen was heading to a small resort opposite River’s View where he works as the caretaker. A relative of the elderly man told the Village Voice that the inhumane manner in which the incident occurred stunned the family. They noted that the victim’s boat engine was smashed to pieces when the accident occurred. It was also allege that the man who was operating the other boat involved in the accident was also involved in similar of a similar nature in the past. Police have detained him as part of their investigations.
The family of Bowen is calling on the authorities to fully investigate the accident.
