An Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD) teenager was yesterday electrocuted while operating a plucking machine.
Dead is 19-year old Sarwan Mahadeo, called Mikey of Lot 39, Block X, Anna Catherina, WCD, the youngest of four siblings.
According to reports, Mahadeo was operating the plucking machine at a business place a few houses away from his home shortly after 1 pm yesterday when he came into contact with an exposed wire. According to a neighbour, Mahadeo was alone at the time of the incident and a resident in the area observed the teen lying on the ground close to the plucking machine and immediately raised an alarm. He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by medical staff.
When this newspaper visited the deceased’s residence yesterday, his three brothers were preparing their parents’ home for a wake. His father was lost for words. He said he was at home when he heard that his son had been electrocuted.
The distraught man stated that he last spoke to his son early yesterday morning when he left for work. He said when he arrived at the scene his son’s employers had already taken his son to the hospital. As he tried to hold back tears, the man stated that Mahadeo was well loved around the community and he described his son’s death as a severe blow to the family since his wife passed away only a few years ago.
Persons at the business place, a chicken farm at the back of a yard, were reluctant to speak about the incident when this newspaper visited the home yesterday, one person stating that the incident was being investigated by the police.
The owners of the business were being questioned by ranks of the Leonora Police Station yesterday afternoon.
The death will also likely engage the attention of the Occupational Health and Safety Unit of the Ministry of Labour. (Alva Solomon)
