A young boy was killed yesterday morning in a rare sea disaster when two outboard motor (OBM) canoes travelling in opposite directions collided at Lavuro Point, West Guadalcanal.

The OBM in which the deceased was travelling in was heading to Ghorabau at South Guadalcanal while the other boat was heading to Honiara from Marasa, which is also at South Guadalcanal (weathercoast).

According to Solomon Business Magazine’s (SBM) social website yesterday, Mr John Stewart the owner of the OBM in which the deceased was travelling in confirmed that it was his nephew who was the deceased and he was 12 years of age.

He said his driver was trying to avoid the other OBM three times but it was difficult as their OBM was slow whilst the other was faster.

“As a result of the collision my nephew was killed,” said Stewart.

According to Mr Stewart his OBM was carrying five children and five adults and none of them was under the influence of alcohol but he alleged that the driver of the other OBM that smashed his OBM was drunk.

He further elaborated that as a result of the collision his boat was damaged.

According to Mr Stewart, the dead body was to be travelled with to Aruligo and then on to Weathercoast yesterday morning.

Several Attempts to get in contact with the police media yesterday to confirm any investigation into the matter was unsuccessful so it is still not clear if the police are already attending to the incident.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Authority (SIMSA) and the Police Maritime Unit had issued earlier on this month a strong warning to all citizens who travel by OBMs this Christmas season to take extra precaution for their safeties.

Just recently this week, a rescue of a sinking OBM with four women passengers bound for Ngella also took place between Savo Island and Point Cruz (Honiara).

MV Uta, bound for Isabel, picked up the call and diverted its course in assisting which it rescued the troubled OBM passengers.