A construction worker was electrocuted and two others seriously injured at an Essequibo Coast worksite yesterday morning.

Surendra “Chris” Persaud, 31, of Middlesex, Essequibo Coast was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Hospital. His co-workers Kenneth ‘Ken’ Ellis, 39, of Sand Pit and Lall Sankar, 28, of Vilvoorden were injured when they tried to help him.

Police said in a press release last night that they were treated for burns at the Suddie Hospital and sent away.

Persaud, Ellis, and Sankar employed by Max’s Construction Company. The men were among a team contracted by rice miller and exporter Hack’s Investment. The incident occurred around 9.35 am at Hack’s Golden Fleece, Essequibo location. After the incident, operations were stopped for the day.

Stabroek News understands that Persaud was fetching a length of steel rod to the upper storey of a building when it came into contact with an exposed electrical wire.

Persaud, reports said, screamed as he was being electrocuted. He collapsed and the live steel rod fell on top him maintaining contact with his body.

It was at this point that Ellis and Sankar rushed over to help. They sustained electrical shocks as they tried to lift the steel rod from Persaud’s body.

Meanwhile, Persaud’s sister told Stabroek News in a telephone interview that when she arrived at the hospital, his body was being transported to the mortuary. “His hands and his belly were scorched,” she said.

The woman said that she was informed of the incident by Persaud’s reputed wife. “My brother boss man call his wife and tell her about it,” she explained.

Persaud has been working with the construction company for about two years. His sister was unable to say whether he was wearing gloves when the incident occurred.

When Stabroek News contacted the owner of the construction firm yesterday, the man said he was at the police station “dealing with the matter” and couldn’t speak at the time. Several efforts made to contact him again were futile.

Persaud’s sister was unable to say what action they will be taking since her brother died on the job. “We’re still shocked now,” she said, “and we need time to think.”