Man feared downed at Matope Falls Cuyuni 

A man, who hails from Karrau in the Mazaruni River, is suspected to have drowned at Matope Falls, Cuyuni River on Wednesday, the police said.

According to the police, the man is known only as ‘Brother Ken.’

Based on police investigation thus far, at around 14:00hrs on Wednesday, the man was shuttling fuel in a metal boat powered by two 75 HP Yamaha outboard engines when the incident occurred.

The boat was captained by Pargia Gibson. Once the fuel was offloaded at the foot of the falls, the men began navigating through the falls, and it was then that one of the engines developed a problem. The boat reportedly began drifting whilst taking in water.  “Brother Ken went to the boat bow and attempted to tie the boat to a nearby rock and whilst doing so, allegedly slipped and fell overboard,” the police said.

A search was launched by the boat operator with the assistance of a passing boat to no avail.

Police are making preparations to visit the location in search of the missing man.