A 20-year-old prison officer died following a boat collision on the Essequibo River near Third Avenue, Bartica, yesterday morning, according to statements from the Guyana Prison Service and Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond.
The Prison Service identified him as Shalom Andrews, of Swan Village, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, who was attached to the Mazaruni Prison.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the service said the circumstances surrounding the November 1 collision were being investigated by the Guyana Police Force. It did not provide details of the vessels involved or how the collision occurred.
The Director of Prisons, officers and ranks extended condolences and support to Andrews’ family, describing his death as a profound loss to his relatives, colleagues and the service.
Walrond, in a separate Facebook statement, said she had spoken with Andrews’ family, expressed condolences and offered her support.
“Officer Andrews was just 20 years old, a young man with so much of life ahead of him who had chosen to serve his country as a member of the Guyana Prison Service,” she stated.
She described his passing as a painful loss to his family and community, his colleagues at the Mazaruni Prison and the wider Home Affairs Ministry.
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