Drowned man’s body washes ashore

ALMOST 20 hours after a Princes Town man went missing in the sea off Mayaro, his body washed ashore during the early morning hours yesterday, police said. The body of Stevie Siewnarine, 21, was found on a beach around 5 am, almost half a mile from where he disappeared while swimming in the sea off Bon Espoire Road on Monday morning. Siewnarine, of Garth Road, was spending the long weekend with relatives at Bon Espoire Road where they had rented a beach house.  His sister, Joanne, who was also on the beach lime, said that on Sunday evening, the family felt strong underwater currents while they were bathing. She said the next day, around 8 am, Siewnarine, who was not a good swimmer, went to the beach with a broken surf board.

Siewnarine’s mother, Leela, told Newsday, “We heard he went down and then resurfaced about two or three times before he went under and he didn’t come back up.” She and other relatives journeyed to Mayaro yesterday to identify the body. Joanne said her older brother was one of the breadwinners in the family since their father died seven years ago. “We are not very wealthy and he was a very ambitious person. He had plans to get back on his feet after getting VSEP from Caroni.” The body was ordered removed from the beach by the District Medical Officer. Up to late yesterday, efforts were being made to have an autopsy carried out on the body. Cpl Ghany and PC Didanath, both of Mayaro police station, are continuing investigations.