Miner drowns in pit

A man died on Thursday after he fell into a mining pit which was under water at Puruni, Region Seven.

Dead is Dexter Chapman, 41, of Lot 72 Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara. A report from the police revealed that the man’s body was found in the mining pit at about 4pm on Thursday.

When Stabroek News visited the man’s mother, Cynthia Chapman, she was still visibly shaken by the news of his death. The woman said that she received a phone call from the Bartica Police Station yesterday morning and was told that her son was dead.

Dexter Chapman

“This morning [Friday] about 8 o’clock I get a call from the police.

They ask me if I know a Dexter Chapman and I said yes, I am his mother and they start ask me how old is he and when last I talk to him and things like that and I said please, tell me what happen to him and the police say he went to defecate in an old pit and he fall down and drown. I couldn’t talk anymore,” she related.

She noted that the body has since been brought to the city and is currently being kept at the Lyken Funeral home. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on Monday.  Chapman was said to have worked in the mining field for about three years but with different companies. At the time of his death, he was employed with Afro Alphonso and Sons Enterprise. His employer has agreed to assist the family with funeral expenses.

“He was the jet man, pumping water into the mine. He was very hardworking and funny. Love to tell jokes. He never marry or had any children. Is me he used to live with,” his mother said, adding that he leaves to mourn four siblings. Police said that investigations are in progress.