Miner, 47, dies after mining pit collapses at Puruni Backdam
A 47-year-old miner was killed on Sunday after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed at Puruni Backdam, Region Seven.
Dead is Stephen Mark Samuel of Karwap Mission, Pomeroon River, Region Two. The incident occurred at about 16:00h.
According to initial reports, Samuel was employed as a jet man on a six-inch dredge operated by a Brazilian national.
Alongside several other workers, Samuel was engaged in mining activities when a portion of the eastern wall of the pit suddenly collapsed, burying him under the rubble.
Upon realisation of the accident, fellow workers quickly rallied to the scene and managed to extricate Samuel’s motionless body from the debris.
Despite their efforts, Samuel was unresponsive. Authorities were promptly alerted, and upon their arrival, the body was examined, with no signs of physical trauma.
A doctor stationed at the Puruni Health Centre pronounced the man dead on arrival. The dead man’s body has since been transferred to the mortuary at the Bartica Regional Hospital and is slated for transportation to Georgetown for a post-mortem examination.
An investigation is ongoing.
