By FRANCIS JOSEPH
A young man who went hiking on Sunday and disappeared in the water has been found dead.
He was identified as Donald Francis, 22, of Tacarigua.

According to reports, Francis went hiking with other persons at Marianne Gorge, Blanchisseuse, on Sunday.
It was reported that around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Francis swam across the gorge to join four other persons who were on the opposite side. Unfortunately, he did not reach the group.
Other members of his hiking group immediately began searching for him but were unable to locate him. A report was then made to the Police.
Officers from the Blanchisseuse Police Station, together with the Hunters Search and Rescue Team, under the leadership of Commander Shamsudeen Ayube, conducted searches on Sunday evening.

Search operations resumed on Monday morning, involving officers of the Fire Service, the Blanchisseuse Police Station and members of Hunters team. During the search in the morning,
Francis’ body was located and recovered by officers of the Fire Service at Marianne Gorge.
The District Medical Officer was contacted and the body was ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre for an autopsy.


