Siblings drown while playing Phagwah

Mar 04, 2026 News

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…govt. pledges financial assistance to grieving family

(Kaieteur News) – What was supposed to be a day of colour, laughter and joyous celebration turned into an unimaginable nightmare for a family of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, after two young siblings drowned behind the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) pump station at Enterprise.

Dead are 10-year-old Jadon De Courte and his eight-year-old sister Tianna De Courte, both of Lot 17 Melanie Public Road and students of Paradise Primary School. The tragedy unfolded during what had become an annual family tradition, celebrating Phagwah together.

According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force, the incident occurred between 08:00hrs and 11:05hrs. Preliminary investigations revealed that around 08:00hrs on the day in question, the children had left their home with their mother and were in the area when they reportedly wandered away. “At about 11:05hrs, information was received that two children were found motionless in a trench at Melanie/Enterprise. The mother was alerted and subsequently identified the children…,” police said.

Emergency Medical Technicians responded swiftly but pronounced both children dead at the scene. When Kaieteur News arrived at the location, residents had measured the depth of the trench where water from the pump station is released under pressure. The trench, they said, was approximately 10 feet deep. Kaieteur News later visited the family’s home, where grief hung heavily in the air. The children’s father, Jason De Courte, a Bakewell employee, and their mother, Tisha De Courte, a housewife, share five children together. Jadon, the 10-year-old, was the eldest, followed by the twins.

The children’s mother was too distraught to speak. Amid tears and visible anguish, their father recounted the harrowing sequence of events that led to the drowning. According to Mr. De Courte, Tianna had slipped into the trench while attempting to fill a toy water gun. When Jadon noticed his sister fall, he instinctively tried to hold onto her to prevent her from going under. But unable to support both their weights, he too was pulled into the deep water. Other children nearby quickly alerted family members. De Courte’s brother, who was closer to the area, rushed to their aid.

“My brother went down in the water, but he had to come back up to catch he breath and then go in again and pull them out, that’s how deep the water deep,” the grieving father said. By the time the children were pulled from the trench, they were already motionless. Fighting back tears, Mr. De Courte described the moment he learned of the tragedy.

“They go to their mother this morning and said they want to go and play, and she give them the okay. Every year it’s an annual thing, they does go and play Phagwah every year. My wife proceeded with them while I was doing some chores in the yard. After I finish, I put on my clothes and went to Buxton because she was in front with them, so no need for me there,” he said.

“Around after 11, I come back and sit in front with my sister, and then I hear my cousin say, ‘You in front here and Tia and Jadon drown at the back.’ So, I run around there, and when I come around, I see my daughter lie down there and my son motionless in my mother arm. I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t look at my children like that,” the emotional father said. He explained that about five minutes later, the ambulance arrived, and EMTs attempted to resuscitate the children. Despite their efforts, both were pronounced dead.

The tragedy is made even more painful by the milestones that will now never be celebrated. Tianna would have turned nine on March 21, while Jadon had celebrated his birthday just last month. The children were described as loving, helpful, and inseparable. “Now there’s an empty room. I can’t pass that room now. The twins can’t do without each other. It is very hard for me,” their father said quietly. He recalled how, on Valentine’s Day, Tianna had given him a drawing with the words: “I love you daddy.” “These children are the only source of my love,” he added.

Government support

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony visited the grieving family, offering sympathy and government support. He confirmed that the children were taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital and that the bodies would remain at the hospital’s mortuary until the family is ready to proceed with funeral arrangements. “The hospital has a mortuary, so we will be able to keep the bodies. As soon as they are ready to move them to the funeral parlour, we will facilitate that. We will be happy, as a government, to assist with the various expenses, including the funeral. It is a really tragic situation,” he said.

President Irfaan Ali also extended condolences in a statement, pledging support to the family during their time of grief. “I also wish to personally extend condolences to the parents and other loved ones of Tianna and Jadon. No words can truly ease the pain of such a devastating loss, but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We stand with you and will ensure that every possible support is provided as you navigate this period of profound grief,” the President stated.

Also present at the home were Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Education Sonia Parag, and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall.

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed was also present, along with APNU members Dexter Todd, Nema Flue-Bess, Shenika Haynes, and Vinceroy Jordan. Throughout the day, the family was surrounded by relatives, friends, and residents who filled both the house and yard in a show of solidarity.

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• drown, Jadon De Courte, Phagwah, siblings, Tiana De Courte

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