By Cecily Asson Monday, October 22 2012

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Dillon Lalchan...

Sixteen-year-old Dillon Lalchan met his death after he dived about 15 feet into murky waters at “Three Mouth” River at Tulsa Trace, Penal on Saturday.

The area where three rivers merge is a popular picnic and fishing site in the area.

On Saturday afternoon, unknown to relatives, the teenager, of Mendez Trace, Scott Road, Penal, allegedly sneaked off on his bike with three of his friends for a lime by the river. However he never made it back home.

According to a police report, Dillon climbed onto the sluice gate at the river and dove off.

When he failed to re-surface an alarm was raised and his friends went into the water only to discover his head was stuck in the mud. He had to be pulled out by his feet. Efforts to revive him failed.

Police visited the scene accompanied by the district medical officer. Dillon’s body was ordered removed to the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital and is expected to be transferred today to the Forensic Science Centre, St James for an autopsy.

Yesterday, grieving relatives described Dillon as a “loving child”, but one who “had his own way” and was always “trying to fit in.”

His uncle Satesh Lalchan, 38, told Newsday, at the age of one month, Dillon was left abandoned by a female relative in a hammock on a river bank in Debe. He was rescued by his grandmother Dolly Lalchan and lived with her until she died three years ago. After her death, the teenager moved in with Satesh and his wife Usha, 28. However, Dillon never really settled down and gave problems in school, Newsday was told.

He attended Pleasantville Secondary School and was transferred to Shiva Boys College when he went to Penal to live, but dropped out two years ago. He started learning woodwork and was a good artist.

“We were his guardians, but we knew he wanted more. He never had the love of his parents and that created problems as he was always looking for answers,” Sateesh said. “At this time we don’t even know where his mother is and if she even knows that her son is dead. Dillon was always trying to fit in with the crowd.”

Investigations are continuing.