[UPDATED] Penal mechanic missing at sea

A 40-year-old Penal mechanic disappeared at sea near Invaders Bay on Tuesday evening after trying to save a Debe handyman from drowning.

Khemraj "Tallboy" Maharaj, the father of two, from Suchit Trace, remained unaccounted for up to Thursday.

Relatives were too distraught to speak when Newsday visited the family’s home on Thursday afternoon.

The handyman, identified as Trevor "Congo" Lugo, jumped into the water and shortly after, cried out for help.

Eyewitnesses said Maharaj also jumped into the water and managed to throw a life jacket at Lugo. But strong currents separated them and Maharaj disappeared, while Lugo managed to climb back into the boat.

Boat owner Sanjeev Roopchan said Lugo called out for help, and Maharaj did not hesitate to react at about 5. 45 pm on Tuesday.

"We searched everywhere but could not find him. Within seconds the currents pushed them away. He is a good swimmer. We looked and looked for him," Roopchan said.

Maharaj, Lugo, and four other people, including a pundit, boarded the Ninja in Felicity at the Caroni River to test it out.

The pundit, Avinash Teeluckdharry Rampersad of Penal, had moments earlier blessed the boat.

Rampersad recalled that Lugo jumped off the boat "maybe to take a bath."

"He picked me up from home at Laltoo Trace, Penal, to go with him to bless the boat in Felicity," Rampersad said. "After I blessed it, Tallboy asked me to go for a ride with them on the boat.

"It was the first time I ever went at sea in a boat, and this happened. It happened just so."

Lugo lives alone in a wooden shack without electricity at Samai Trace in Debe. He was not at home when Newsday visited. Neighbours told Newsday Lugo moved into the area years ago and is originally from Tabaquite. He is in his 50s.

On Thursday, a release from the NGO Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, urged fishermen always to take precautions when going out on boating expeditions.

"Ensure that you can swim, always wear your life vests and be ready to flee from the murderous pirates who are roaming unencumbered," the release said.

Hunters Search and Rescue Team and fishermen continued to search the western coastline.

Meanwhile, on land, other team members, including captain Vallence Rambharat and commander Ren Goopiesingh, were searching forested areas at Brasso Piedra Road in Caparo for missing 85-year-old Siew Ramnarine on Thursday.

Ramnarine lives at Doorbal Road in Gran Couva. He was last seen at his home on July 6.

"This is our third search day in trying to find him. Today, a large search party, including villagers, relatives, and our team members, have combined with the police and the Canine Unit to continue the search," Rambharat told Newsday by phone.