-spent eight hours on the water
As search efforts continue following Saturday night’s sinking of the MV Barima, relatives of those still missing are clinging to hope that their loved ones may yet be found alive.
Among them is 18-year-old Alicia Atkinson, who survived the disaster along with her 10-month-old son, Triston, but who is still searching for her three-year-old daughter.
Speaking with Kiskadee Watch yesterday from the Charity Waterfront, where families gathered awaiting news as bodies continued to be brought ashore, Atkinson recounted the terrifying moments when the vessel went down.
She said she had been aboard the ferry with her two children, both asleep, when she noticed the vessel suddenly listing to one side. In the ensuing panic she managed to grab both children as passengers struggled to escape. Within moments, they were all thrown into the water.
Atkinson said she desperately tried to keep herself and her children afloat, but during the struggle an unknown person grabbed her three-year-old daughter from her arms apparently in a bid to help her.
“I see somebody take her out of my hand and after that I never see her again,” she said.
The young mother said she eventually managed to cling to a vinyl roll, placing her infant son on top while holding him with one hand.
In tears she said the roll was given to her by a man who then went under the water as she and her son clung to it for dear life.
She remained in the water for about eight hours before she and her baby were rescued.
Both were taken to hospital for treatment and have since been discharged.
Yesterday, she remained at the Charity Waterfront hoping her daughter’s body would be found.
“Till 7 in the morning somebody see me. I was just holding onto a vinyl there all the time with my baby for hours. I want see my daughter. I have been at the waterfront since morning but I didn’t see she body. A lot of bodies come in but I am still waiting. My family here with me and we are staying here until she comes,” she said.
Also waiting anxiously at the waterfront was Royston Frank, who remains hopeful that his son, 34-year-old Rawle Frank, survived the sinking.
Rawle Frank, a father of one, has worked as a crew member with the Transport and Harbours Department for more than a decade.
His father travelled from No. 40 Village, Berbice, after learning of the disaster and has been at the Charity Waterfront since about 5 am awaiting news.
Despite the recovery of dozens of bodies, Frank said he has not given up hope.
“He ain’t get find yet. My son is nowhere among those who were found. That’s my hope. I have a feeling that my son is alive, he is not dead. I don’t have no feeling that my son is dead. I got a feeling that he is somewhere hanging on waiting for help. He is probably in some corner waiting for somebody to rescue him,” he said.
Discussion