Girl, dad’s bodies wash ashore

They had gotten into difficulties while in the waters in vicinity of Mitan River while on a family excursion at Manzanilla beach.

Reports are Basdeo experienced difficulty while swimming and Harridath rushed in to assist. But security officer Harridath also got into difficulties and both daughter and father disappeared under the water. A massive search was subsequently mounted for Basdeo, a pupil of the Tableland Secondary School and her father.

Autopsies are expected to be performed today on both bodies at the Forensic Sciences Centre.

PC Ramsaran of the Mayaro Police Station is continuing investigations.

This was one of two families plunged into mourning following similar tragedies. Claxton Bay grandfather Morris Selwyn Sammy, 75, and granddaughter Anastacia Misha Ali, nine, drowned in the waters off Coconut Avenue, Grand Lagoon, Mayaro, on Sunday.

Anastacia, a pupil of the St Gabriel’s Girls RC School, in San Fernando, lived with parents, Stacy Sammy- Ali and Andy Ali and five year- old brother, Zayne Ali at Gopaul Circular Drive, Marabella.

Sammy also called ‘Shac Shac’ and ‘Bouji’ was a bass guitarist with the now defunct Ansel Wyatt Combo, a popular band of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Sammy was a father of five and grandfather of 18.

Reports are a group of persons were in the waters at Mayaro, where three children (among them Anastacia) got into some difficulties.

Sammy, who was metres away in the waters, rushed to save them.

The report added that Sammy and his granddaughter disappeared under the waters as the two other girls were taken to safety by other beach goers. Within minutes the Sammy, whom relatives described as a good swimmer, and Anastacia were fished out of the sea. Funeral arrangements are being made by families members and WPC Mc Kain of the Mayaro Police Station is continuing investigations.