Teen drowns in canal while hunting wild ducks

An 18-year-old carpenter from No. 71 Village, Corentyne, tragically lost his life on Monday afternoon after reportedly drowning in a canal at the No. 71 Village sea dam.

The deceased has been identified as Yodesh, also known as “Boyo” or “Rasta,” a resident of Lot 183, No. 71 Village.

According to police, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on 21 July, and was reported to Springlands Police Station shortly after, at 5:20 p.m.

Initial information received from Looknauth Narine, also known as “Fatboy,” a 40-year-old cane harvester and the deceased’s stepfather, indicated that Yodesh left home around 4:00 p.m. to purchase an XL energy drink and never returned.

Further enquiries revealed that Yodesh, along with two friends—17-year-old electrician Airon Yacoob of No. 70 Village, and Omar Khan, known as “Lil Buck,” of No. 71 Village—had instead gone to the sea dam to catch “wisy wisy” wild ducks.

According to Yacoob, while the trio was crossing a canal with water just above waist height, Yodesh entered first but began struggling in the middle of the waterway. Khan reportedly jumped in to rescue him but was unsuccessful.

A nearby farmer, 36-year-old Navindra Sukhdeo, called “Navin,” was spraying crops in his garden some distance away when he noticed two boys frantically waving for help. Upon learning someone had gone under the water, he and a few other men, including a relative, rushed to the scene and eventually pulled Yodesh’s lifeless body from the canal.

Police officers, including ASP Laljit, Detective Sergeant Fraser, Detective Corporal George, and Woman Detective Constable Welch, visited the scene around 5:30 p.m. The body was photographed and examined, with no visible signs of violence noted.

Yodesh was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead by Dr Smith. His body is currently at the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police have found no evidence of foul play, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.