Man drowns at Toco

AN ARIMA man drowned yesterday while bathing at Big Bay, San Souci, in Toco. Police identified the man as Michael Budree, 54, of Caesar Gardens, Santa Rosa Heights.  Reports are that Budree, an employee of TTEC, went with friends and family to San Souci Village to meet ot-her relatives around 5.30 pm Saturday. Police sources said around 2.45pm yesterday, Budree left and went to bathe alone at Big Bay. Sometime aft-er, investigators sa-id Budree was seen drifting further out into the sea.

As a result, police said, his two sons, Jeremy, 18, and Damien, 24, along with a close friend identified as Kerry Sinanan went to his assistance. However, police said as the trio nearly reached Budree he disappeared un-der the water. The three men sought assistance from ne-arby fishermen. Budree’s body was later retrieved. He was rushed to the Cumana Health Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Cpl Christopher Joshua and PC Ravi Lochan of the Toco Police Station are continuing investigations.