Three drown in separate incidents

Seeta Ghannie, 44, of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara; Vishal Narine, 26, of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara; and Deon Baird, 28, of Princeville, Lake Mainstay, Essequibo Coast, drowned in separate incidents across Guyana.

Police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Ghannie drowned at Azeeza Akousa Creek, Madewini, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway while on a family outing with her husband, Vijay Ghannie, and other relatives on Monday.

Police reports indicate that at around 17:00 hrs, Vijay left the water to get a drink and later noticed that his relatives had exited the creek—except for his wife.

After searching the area, he found her submerged body about 15 minutes later. She was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where she was pronounced dead at 18:22 hrs.

No visible marks of violence were found on her body. Vijay informed police that his wife suffered from epileptic seizures, which may have caused her to drown. A post-mortem examination is scheduled.

Also on Monday, Narine drowned in the Demerara River near the Land of Canaan Wharf after a day of drinking.

According to reports, he had been consuming alcohol since early morning and later had an argument with his family over money for more liquor.

At around 16:50 hrs, he left home, stating he was going to the river. His sister, Parbattie Sancharra, attempted to stop him, but he refused.

His cousin, Daveraj Singh, pursued him, but before he could intervene, Narine jumped into the river. Singh said he saw Narine struggling and attempted to save him, but the current was too strong, and Narine disappeared beneath the water.

Meanwhile, Baird was found dead at Lake Mainstay Resort on Tuesday morning after failing to return home the previous day.

His sister, Ashana Baird, went searching for him and discovered his body floating face down about 30 feet from the deck bar at the resort.

Police say investigators found his clothing, slippers, and other belongings on a bench at the bar.

CCTV footage showed Baird removing his clothing and jumping into the lake at around 17:00 hrs. No marks of violence were found on his body.

His remains were taken to Suddie Public Hospital and later transferred to the Suddie Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.