Boat captain missing after being allegedly pushed overboard by passengers

A 55-year-old boat captain is missing after being allegedly pushed overboard by two passengers, who appeared to be of unsound mind.

The boat captain has been identified as Elick Alexander of Silver City, Wismar, Linden. The incident occurred around 01:00h in the Demerara River, about 40 feet off the Wismar shore in Linden.

According to the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), the boat, which Alexander was the captain, is owned by Leslie Orna, who resides overseas and operates from the Wismar ] to the Mackenzie shore.

This morning, at around 01:00h, Alexander was on the Mackenzie shore awaiting passengers when Brian Hermanstyne, a 25-year-old unemployed man of Amelia's Ward Mackenzie, and Elden Hermanstyne, a 24-year-old unemployed man of Red Cresent Road, Mackenzie, boarded the boat for Wismar shore.

While the boat was about 40 feet off the Wismar shore, Alexander was allegedly “pushed out” of the boat and submerged under the water.

The boat then proceeded north on the Demerara River. The matter was reported to the Police at 01:10h, and a party of policemen was dispatched to the scene.

One of the Policemen mounted a drone, and during an aerial search, the boat was located in the vicinity of Spieghtland.

The boat was then brought to shore along with the two suspects, and they were told of the allegation, arrested, and escorted to Wismar Police Station and placed in custody.

Searches were carried out in the Demerara River for Alexander, but he was not located. Statements were taken, and an investigation is in progress.