A 59-year-old Porknocker was crushed to death by several rocks while working at the edge of a hill yesterday (Wednesday) while his co-workers escaped unscathed after they had managed to run to safety.
The deceased has been identified as Donston John called ‘Rambo’ of St. Francis Mission, Mahaicony River.
The incident occurred yesterday (Wednesday) around 13:20h, at Whitewater Mountain, Konawaruk Backdam.
Reports are that John and a 63-year-old Porknocker of Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) began working as punters with a three-inch pump and their detectors at the said location. This location is owned by a Mining Company.
The duo started working around 10:00h yesterday and were joined by two other Punters, a 52-year-old Porknocker from Samantha Point, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and a 49-year-old Porknocker of Wakapow, Pomeroon.
According to the police, while the quartet had been working at the edge of a hill, several big rocks fell and landed on John before the others ran for safety. The three men subsequently returned to the area when they were certain they were safe and proceeded to dig the pit with their spades to locate their friend.
They managed to retrieve John’s lifeless body from the rubble around 22:00h, some 10 hours after the tragedy took place.
Police ranks were summoned and John was taken to the Mahdia Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead. His body is presently at the Mahdia Hospital mortuary where it awaits a Post Mortem Examination (PME).
Investigations into the matter are currently underway.
