Police are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy whose body was found in the Siparuni River on Tuesday, two days after he reportedly disappeared while trying to cross it on foot.
Bentley Joseph Jnr., of Circuitville, Yarrowkabra, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, had travelled with others from their camp to an area known as Tunnel for mining activities, according to a police statement.
Police said Joseph and his cousin were attempting to cross the river at Rock Bar on Sunday when he fell into the fast-flowing water. He reportedly tried to swim but went under and did not resurface.
A search was launched, and his body was found floating in the river at about 6.24 am on Tuesday.
Police said ranks who examined the body saw no marks of violence or indication of foul play. Joseph was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where a doctor pronounced him dead. His body is at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The investigation is continuing.
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