A family outing in Linden to celebrate the 18th birthday of a young man who was visiting from the United States, turned tragic on Boxing Day when the youth lost his life by drowning.
The dead young man has been identified as Demarius Willabus Payne from Atlanta, Georgia. According to reports, the 18-year-old was in a small boat with other relatives in the Demerara River at Coomacka in Linden, when the boat suddenly capsized and started to sink.
The youth reportedly panicked and suffered cramps while assisting in saving the lives of some of his relatives who were overboard.
He was pulled from the river by other relatives in a semi-conscious state, but died as he was being rushed to the Linden Hospital.
In a statement, the Police said he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital by the emergency doctor who was on duty. A post-mortem examination was later performed on his body and that examination determined that he died by drowning.
Family members have been left devastated by the tragedy and said they are still trying to cope with the reality of Demarius no longer being with them. They said it is especially painful that he died on his birthday.
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