The Belize National Coast Guard has maintained an active presence in the River Valley area. But today things nearly took a disastrous turn for one of the vessels. This morning, one of the boats was transporting five passengers, including children to Lemonal Village when the vessel capsized due to strong river currents coursing through Spanish Creek. According to Olive Banner, the Chairperson of Lemonal Village she first heard a loud bang and then children screaming that a boat had crashed.
Olive Banner, Chairperson – Lemonal Village
“Well it gives us a fright because we were just approaching the bridge and then we heard the bang and children were shouting that the boat turned over. So quickly I contacted my Area Representative because I had my phone on me and asking him to inform the nation so that they could send something but my husband came in his boat and then the Coast Guard boat had already drifted but the boys in the boat they hanged on to the bridge so they were safe, thank God for that but the boat disappeared. They went all the way down, a far distance down and they didn’t get it so apparently it is under the water.”
Gen. Cedric Borland, Commander – Coast Guard
“I haven’t had all the details of it but I know that since last night the river has rose significantly and I am sure that you would agree that there is a serious risk factor involved and one of our small vessels apparently got into the currents, lost control, and it capsized. But luckily again no lives were lost and our business is actually in the saving of lives and in property. So I am happy no lives were lost in that incident.”
Another vessel has since been deployed to continue supporting the operations in the area.
