A 55-year-old fisherman was found dead inside his boat Monday afternoon after rushing to the vessel upon being told it was taking in water at a koker dam in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
The deceased has been identified as Stephen Ragbeer, also known as “Cannon,” of Lancaster, Unity Village, Mahaica.
According to police, the incident occurred between 3:00pm and 4:00pm at the 40 Feet Koker Dam, Unity Village, within Regional Division 4C. Ragbeer customarily docked his fishing boat at the location after returning from daily fishing activities.
On Monday, Ragbeer received word that his boat was taking in water and left to inspect it. At around 4:00pm, a report was made to the Mahaica Police Station that a man was seen lying motionless inside a boat at the koker dam.
Police ranks responded promptly and discovered Ragbeer’s body in the vessel. He was transported to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival. An examination of the body revealed no visible marks of violence.
The body has since been taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Police have not yet indicated whether the death is believed to be medical-related or the result of any other circumstance.
Investigations remain ongoing.
