[UPDATED] Ambulance driver drowns in floodwater in Princes Town on way home

An ambulance driver on his way home from work drowned while trying to drive through floodwater in the Princes Town district on Thursday.

Annan Boysie, 40, who worked with Amalgamated Security Services Ltd, moved to Princes Town a few weeks ago. He previously lived in La Costena Development in Sou Sou Lands, Penal.

A relative who did not give her name said, "It was an unfortunate incident. He took a chance, and it was an accident. Only Annan and God know what happened in the final moment of his life."

Newsday spoke with relatives at the family's home at Penal.

A police report said at around 5.30 pm on Thursday, Boysie was driving his Isuzu van along M1 Tasker Road near Cedar Hill Estate Road.

Eyewitnesses told the police he tried to drive through the floodwater, but the van was swept away into a river on the southern side of the road.

Passers-by tried in vain to save him.

Fire officers and police were alerted. FSO Sylvan and civilians later retrieved the van.

Boysie was found unresponsive in the back seat and a DMO declared him dead.

Boysie was not married and did not have any children. He lived alone in Penal and at St Croix Road in Princes Town.

Relatives said they saw a social media post by the NGO Hunters Search and Rescue Team about the incident. At the time, the post did not name the dead person nor the make of the van.

"I saw the post last night and said, 'God bless his soul.' I did not know who the person was. But this morning, people started calling and asking if Annan was dead.

"He was a quiet and simple person," the close relative added.

The relative messaged the NGO and spoke to a member. The family then talked to the police.

The team's leader Vallence Rambharat said, "Our trainer/member Mark Chin Aleong was able to get to the scene and attempted with others to rescue the victim."

Insp Phillip, Sgt Dookhoo and other Princes Town police visited the scene.

The van was towed to the roadside in front of the Princes Town police station.

Investigations are ongoing.

Editor's note:

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management advises that, in the event of flooding:

• Do not walk or drive through flood waters of unknown depth and current (six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet). STAY AWAY from moving water.

• Stay away from drains and culverts. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children.

This story was originally published with the title "Penal man drowns in floodwater" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A man drowned while driving to drive through floodwater in the Princes Town district on Thursday.

Anand Boysie, 40, of La Costena Development in Penal, was found in the back seat of his van, which was submerged in water.

A police report said at around 5.30 pm on Thursday, Boysie was driving his van along M1 Tasker Road near Cedar Hill Estate Road.

Eyewitnesses told the police he tried to drive through the floodwater, but the van was swept away into a river on the southern side of the road.

Passers-by tried in vain to save him.

Fire officers and police were alerted. FSO Sylvan and civilians later retrieved the van.

Boysie was found unresponsive in the back seat and a DMO declared him dead.

Insp Phillip, Sgt Dookhoo and other Princes Town police visited the scene.

Members of the NGO Hunters Search and Rescue Team were stuck in traffic on their way there. The tem's leader Vallence Rambharat said, "Our trainer/member Mark Chin Aleong was able to get to the scene and attempted with others to rescue the victim."