Car plunges into river, woman tragically dies in Penal incident

Tragic Late-Night Crash Claims Life of Young Mother in Debe

A 30-year-old woman lost her life on Monday night after the car she was driving veered off a narrow bridge and plunged into the swollen South Oropouche River in Debe.

 

The victim has been identified as Kalisa Danclair, a mother of an infant son. She was behind the wheel of a silver Toyota Axio when the vehicle went off the bridge at Bunsee Trace around 9:35 p.m., crashing through metal railings before becoming fully submerged in the fast-moving, murky waters.

 

The loud sound of the crash alarmed residents, many of whom rushed out of their homes to help. Among the first on the scene was Vikash Bunsee, who lives closest to the river.

 

“I looked outside and saw people running out. The car was already under the water, and all we could see were its lights. We didn’t know how many people were inside,” Bunsee recounted.

 

A Venezuelan woman who rents nearby bravely entered the water to search for occupants, soon joined by three young men from the village. As more residents gathered, a rope was used in an attempt to retrieve the submerged vehicle.

 

Despite their efforts, the car could not be lifted. A stroke of luck came when a passing wrecker with a car already loaded stopped to assist. The operator removed the damaged car from his truck and helped the villagers access Danclair’s vehicle.

 

“When the front door opened, we saw her inside,” Bunsee said. Fire officers, who arrived shortly after, entered the river to help retrieve the body.

 

The rescue effort lasted about 25 minutes, but it was too late. Danclair had already succumbed to the incident.

 

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Bunsee. “We were hoping she’d still be alive, but she had been underwater for too long. The impact was terrible. We’re all very sorry she didn’t make it.”

 

Heavy rainfall in recent days had significantly raised the river’s level, adding to the danger and difficulty of the rescue operation.