QC student, 13, drowns after saving niece

Dec 30, 2011 News

A family outing turned deadly last evening for a Good Hope, East Coast Demerara family when one of the

Dead 13 year-old Queens College Student Anand Ramdeo.

youngest members died after saving his six year-old niece.
Thirteen year-old Anand Ramdeo, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital sometime after 19:30 hours yesterday. The teen’s body was pulled from a creek at St Cuthbert’s Mission some two hours after he went missing, earlier yesterday afternoon. Anand Ramdeo was a second Form Student of Queen’s College.
His sister Annie Ramdeo told this publication that just before the incident they were on the bank of the creek cooking.
“We went for a little outing and we were cooking and he said they just going for a walk, so my daughter and another relative went with him.”
The woman added that she did not realize that her brother, daughter and cousin-in-law had gone into a boat. She told Kaieteur News that shortly after the trio left, she heard screaming in the creek and when she ran to investigate, she noticed everybody in the creek calling for help.
From all indications the boat they were in had capsized, sending them into the treacherous water.
“I just saw my brother being washed away with the tide but he kept pushing my daughter to the surface and the other girl who was in the creek. My fiancé’s brother managed to save her but the water keep washing Anand away,” the dead teen’s sister recalled.
The woman said the last time she saw her brother alive he was clinging to a branch in the water before he finally went down.
“After I see that nobody could have saved him, I took the car and I drove out to the road head and started screaming for help.”
She added that some persons who were passing the area heeded to her call for help and went back with her to the creek to assist with a search. The police were informed and after an intense search in the creek Anand’s body was found.
While grieving the lost of her little brother, Annie Ramdeo said it could have been double tragedy for the family if her daughter had perished.
“My brother tried his best to save his niece but he really couldn’t save himself…he was always loving and protective to his niece.”
Meanwhile, the teen’s mother Sunita Ramdeo who was visibly shaken and still in disbelief late last evening at the hospital, said her son would normally accompany her to work, but yesterday he decided to stay at home.
“When he wake up I say baby you coming to work and he say no he will stay home and he tell me he ain’t going to the creek.”
Later in the morning Mrs. Ramdeo said her son called and told her that he was going along with his sister to the creek.
“He say mommy I won’t be long, I coming back just now and I tell he be careful and he say yes mommy and that was the last time I talk to he.”
The woman said that it was a policeman who called her and informed her that they were not finding her son after a boat they were in capsized.
Anand was described by his family as an intelligent lad who spent most of his time with his books. Two years ago Anand was among Guyana’s top achievers at the Grade Six Assessment examination after he gained a total of 544 marks giving him a place at Queen’s College.

15 thoughts on “QC student, 13, drowns after saving niece”

Yannabanno December 30, 2011 at 11:41 am

Very tragic. My sympathy to the family.
1. mimiforde January 1, 2012 at 4:26 pm
  
  oh my anand is a classmate of mine r.i.p anand i will miss you very much
ugroup December 30, 2011 at 11:53 am

So sad
fmguycan December 30, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I am really sorry the young man lost his life but he died a hero.

However where was the adult supervision here and secondly what about LIFE JACKETS.

We have to learn to guard our young like the animals do.
DELGADO5 December 30, 2011 at 12:32 pm

That creek is not suitable for the inexperienced and novice to go aventureing without professional guidance.Additionally, persons must learn to use canoes before useing them. St Cuthbert Mission has lots of amiable persons. Anyone of them could be consulted to guide and help strangers around. Its very sad the way Anand lost his life,so young.
doraman December 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm

So sad.
RaAmen December 30, 2011 at 2:35 pm

My condolences goes out to this family, may you have the strenght and courage to carry on.
Lowes1 December 30, 2011 at 2:56 pm

My sympathy to the family and friends of this young man. He did a heroic thing although he knew that his own life was in jeopardy.

It is time that parents in Guyana adopt the mostly world wide standard of not allowing minors (and in many cases adults as well) of venturing into water without first donning a life preserver of some sort. Although a fairly expensive item, they are well worth the expense when measured against a human life.
Praim Persaud December 30, 2011 at 5:33 pm

so sorry
long_legs December 30, 2011 at 7:04 pm

These precious children losing their lives at such young age right before the eyes of adults. People need to be more proactive in making sure the kids are protected and properly supervised.

With so much water around in Guyana parents and concerned adults must see that good practice is adhered to by making available floating devices and making sure they are worn near the waters.

RIP young man and condolences to the bereaved family…
Tenisha Skool-chick Lawrence December 30, 2011 at 7:11 pm

gone but not forgotten
Akini Omo December 30, 2011 at 7:26 pm

This is indeed very sad heart breaking news i feel for the young lad’s family especially his mom & older sister i just hope that this trajedy stikes a hughe sense of awareness among the people in that community to step up urgent security at St. Cuthbert’s Mission Creek with numerous life bouys & jackets as well as life guards or competent adult supervision in order to ensure that the many souls visiting that creek or any recreational water park do so wisely & cautiously *******R.I.P Anand Ramdeo i know in my heart that u are well cared for by JEHOVAH’S our heavenly father’s most mightiest,gentle loving wings of his Archangel’s & your Guardian Angel for your unyielding self-less-ness will not go unrewarded with the highest of honors!!!
Mohanram Mohabir December 30, 2011 at 10:01 pm

MY god!
Mohanram Mohabir December 30, 2011 at 10:02 pm

My condolences
denamstel December 30, 2011 at 10:46 pm

Life jackets would be the answer to boat passengers at all times when traversing dangerous waters. RIP