Arima man drowns going after big fish

A SUNDAY afternoon spear-fishing expedition in Blanchisseuse ended in tragedy when an Arima man was brought to shore dead, after being pulled into deep water by a large fish which he shot with his speargun.

Police investigating the death of Lennox De Gale, 45, an employee of the Works and Transport Ministry, suspect he got into difficulties after being pulled into deep waters by a large fish which he had speared. De Gale, of Thomasos Terrace, Arima had gone to Blanchisseuse with his friend Jerome James, of Cocorite Road, Arima. According to reports, the two went to a popular diving and fishing area called Matachapu Point. Around 2 pm, they dived into the sea with spearguns. Neither was wearing any scuba gear. De Gale is believed to have shot a fish with his speargun, whose arrow is attached to the speargun with a length of cord.

The wounded fish swam into deeper water pulling De Gale along. Seeing his friend struggling in 30 feet of water, James dived down and pulled a limp De Gale to the surface. James later hailed a passing fishing boat and around 3.30 pm, De Gale was brought to shore dead. The fish he had shot was not caught. A report was made to the Blanchisseuse Police Station and PC Nolan Solomon and party visited the scene. DMO Dr Maharaj arrived shortly, viewed the body and ordered it removed to the Port-of-Spain Mortuary where an autopsy will be done today. PC Solomon is continuing investigations.