A 33-year-old farmer has drowned in the Porpor River at Porpornya-Fantem near Asesewa in the Eastern Region.
Reports indicate that he was transporting some seedlings across the river to his farm when the canoe capsized.
The deceased, identified as Emmanuel Offei Wilson was said to be travelling with his 25-year-old farmhand when the accident happened.
While his farmhand swam to call for help, Offei reportedly drowned before rescuers arrived due to his inability to swim.
The Assembly Member for Apimsu-Fantem Electoral Area, Ahelegbey Freeman who confirmed the incident said water seeped into the canoes as the two got to the middle of their journey.
They then decided to return to the shore but the deceased who was paddling the canoe in an attempt to make a turn ended up capsizing the canoe.
“While crossing they realized that water was leaking into the canoe and they didn’t have anything to scoop out the water and looking at the distance ahead and distance behind, they thought that coming back was the best possible thing to do and because he wasn’t very conversant with the paddling, in turning the canoe, it capsized,” the Assemblyman narrated.
He said some fishermen managed to pull him out with the help of a fishing net.
Meanwhile, officers from the Asesewa District Police Command have deposited the body at the Asesewa Government Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.