Police probe fatal river mishap near Buckhall Landing

Police are investigating a fatal river mishap that occurred Saturday night in the Essequibo River near Buckhall Landing, resulting in the death of 38-year-old Andrew Christopher Bradford, called “Chris,” a pork-knocker of De William, West Coast Demerara, and Caria Caria, Essequibo River.

According to initial investigations, a speedboat operated by a 41-year-old captain from Springfield, Essequibo Coast, was travelling with five passengers around 20:00 hrs when it reportedly collided with a small wooden boat being operated by Bradford.

The impact caused the wooden vessel to capsize, throwing Bradford into the river. Immediate searches were carried out, but he could not be located.

On Sunday morning, ranks of the Guyana Police Force, along with members of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and relatives, resumed search efforts. Around 11:48 hrs, Bradford’s body was recovered from the river.

He was taken to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The speedboat operator remains in police custody assisting investigators.

The latest tragedy adds to concerns over river safety in Guyana and is among at least two publicly reported fatal river mishaps for 2026 so far. In February, 71-year-old Felix Smith died following a collision between two boats in the Pomeroon River. (kaieteurnewsonline.com)

Investigations into the Buckhall Landing incident are ongoing.