Buxtonian drowns in Berbice River

Jun 12, 2016 News

A surveyor attached to SRK’Ngineering disappeared in the Berbice River and a contractor is blamed for negligence
Police are now investigating the circumstances which led to the surveyor disappearing in the Berbice River around mid-morning on Friday.
Reports are that the surveyor, Ceon Hughes, 25, of Noble Street, Buxton, was with a group of about seven men working with Surveyor Gary West on East Bank Berbice. It was not sure why the men were surveying the Rotterdam, Lonsdale area. They were allegedly required to enter sections of the Berbice River.
The men were not wearing safety gear. Hughes who reportedly was a freshman was not a good swimmer and was instructed to survey by the river.
According to a resident, Navindra Hardeo, he would usually be around the riverside doing various jobs and also assisting the sluice attendant.
He was around the area when they saw these strange persons arrive and begin measuring and spying.
He enquired of the people what they were doing. He begged the “boss man” for a small piece so he would assist him, but the man refused. He stated that he noticed Hughes who probably could not swim being instructed to walk backwards with the staff towards the river.
The “boss man” subsequently asked for a boat and he collected one and went out into the river with Hughes. The boat was a small one and could not carry the two of them, since it began taking in water. They aborted the mission and returned to shore.
Hardeo stated that Hughes was left again to fend for himself and was forced to walk backwards into the river when he slipped and went under.
He, Hardeo, was asked to help and immediately plunged overboard. The current was strong and he grabbed the struggling Hughes who he stated was still holding on to something, which he reasoned was the ‘staff’.
He tried desperately to bring the man out of the swirling water, but after a time the man let go of his hands and disappeared. He is upset at the attitude of the “boss man” who was on his phone most of the time and for forcing the man to enter the water.
Residents subsequently joined the search party using boats and seine, but up to press time the body was not recovered.
Hughes reportedly has a young child and his wife is pregnant.

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