Contractor drowns in canal at Ruby Backdam

A 44-year-old contractor, Raj Birsa, tragically drowned on Saturday evening after reportedly falling into a canal at Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo.

The incident occurred around 7:00 pm while Birsa was consuming alcohol at a nearby shop. According to reports, he got up to urinate near the main drainage canal and accidentally fell in. At the time, the koker was open, and the strong current pulled him northward.

Police and residents launched a search, and his lifeless body was found about two hours later, approximately 60 feet from where he had fallen. He was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No marks of violence were observed, and the body was taken to Ezekiel Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination.