Cop’s teen son drowns in pond

UP to last night, divers had not retrieved the body of 16-year-old Govinda Singh, son of policeman PC Jaglal Singh, who disappeared under the murky waters of a pond near a popular picnic site in Woodland yesterday afternoon.

Sources told Newsday, that because of the murky condition, divers did not venture into the water yesterday evening and up to 7 pm last night, the body was not recovered. Sources further said, that if the body was not retrieved last night, a proper search would be carried out today. Singh, a student of the Siparia Senior Secondary school wrote exams yesterday and after classes, decided to lime with seven of his friends by the picnic site.

According to police reports, shortly after 2 pm, Singh went into the pond to bathe. Minutes later Singh called out for help after he got into difficulties. One of his friends went into the water to attempt a rescue, but the friend also got into difficulties and had to leave the pond to save his own life. When Singh disappeared under the water, his frightened friends alerted villagers and went to the Oropouche police station. A party of officers led by Sgt Rampersad visited the scene and were advised by villagers that it would not be safe to venture into the pond. Coast Guard officers were contacted and later promised to send divers to search the pond sometime today. The dead teen’s father - PC Jaglal Singh - is attached to the Penal police station. Investigations are continuing.