Mahaica resident dies in mining pit at Puruni

A 42-year-old miner was buried in a mining pit at Puruni Backdam, Region Seven; the second such incident in three days.
Confirmed dead is Mark Wilson of Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

Police said in a press release yesterday that around 08:00 hours Wilson was in a mining pit at Puruni Backdam when it caved in on him.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Stabroek News made contact with a man who identified himself at Wilson’s uncle. He however was too distraught to provide much information. The man said that he saw him about three weeks ago. He said that Wilson had returned home for a family member’s wedding.

The man lamented that persons are forced to seek employment in the gold and diamond fields because the community has no jobs.

On Wednesday Errol Bennett, 38, of Port Kaituma died shortly after a cave-in at Arakaka.

Persons nearby took about 20 minutes to pull him out from underneath mud and sand. He died while being transported to the Arakaka Police Station.