Police have confirmed that no foul play is suspected in the deaths of four crew members aboard a cargo vessel docked at a wharf on Water Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown.
The men were reportedly inspecting a dry space within the vessel’s engine room when they were exposed to suspected noxious fumes.
The deceased have been identified as Brandon Deonarine, 18, a seaman from Support, East Bank Demerara; Nerwaine Persaud, 57, a boat captain from Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara; Dominic Alexis, 33, a seaman from De Kendren, West Coast Demerara; and Getindra Sanchara, 25, an engineer from Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.
According to police, the men all succumbed in a tragic effort to save each other as they entered the confined space one by one, ultimately succumbing to the fumes.
Information received indicates that Brandon Deonarine and Nerwaine Persaud initially entered the engine room and subsequently collapsed. Dominic Alexis reportedly entered shortly after in an attempt to render assistance but also collapsed. Getindra Sanchara then entered the engine room in a further attempt to assist and likewise collapsed.
Other crew members raised the alarm, and Emergency Medical Technicians, along with the Guyana Fire Service, responded quickly. The men were transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where they were pronounced dead. Their bodies remain at the hospital’s mortuary, awaiting post-mortem examinations.
