Mother dies after pushing son to safety in Berbice River boat mishap

A mother of two is now dead after pushing her little son from under a capsized boat in the Berbice River early this morning.

Dead is 30-year-old Kayandra Lindie of Main Street, Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice.

At the time of the incident, there were two children and five adults onboard the vessel.

Lindie, a cook at a hotel in New Amsterdam, was traveling with her five-year-old son. They left home on Thursday to visit Sand Hills – a village along the Berbice River – and were returning this morning when the indicated occurred.

According to the police, the mishap occurred in the vicinity of De Veldt Village along the Berbice River. It is still unknown whether the boat hit a floating log or a water animal.

However, according to the dead woman’s brother, Kesseon Lindie, his five-year-old nephew related that his mother told him, “You can’t die with me,” as she helped him out of the upturned boat.

In a release, the police said the boat was being captained by 34-year-old Aldwayn Den Harte Sand Hills Village. Den Harte told investigators that while navigating near De Veldt Village, he felt an impact at the engine area, following which he lost control of the vessel, which subsequently capsized.

Persons in a boat nearby rendered assistance and were able to rescue the surviving passengers from the water. It was during this that Kayandra Linde was observed to be motionless.

Emergency services were contacted.

Three of those who survived were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital along with the body of the woman. Lindie was formally pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police ranks have since visited the scene, and an investigation is currently in progress.