Miner killed as tree came crashing down

By Leroy smith

Noland Calvan, 25 years old of Grant Perseverance, Lower Pomeroon River was killed yesterday (Thursday, January 26, 2017) after a tree fell on him and pinned him for several minutes before he was rescued.

The News Room was informed that the young man and 12 others including a cousin were working at a location some three miles from the Tasaweni landing, clearing land when the deceased accidently drilled the edge of a Kakarally Tree which fell on him.

The incident took place at approximately 23.30 hrs on Thursday at Tasaweni, Barima/Waini, North West District.

The News Room was told that when the tree fell on Calvan, it struck him to the head and forced him several inches into the ground. The other workmen then lifted the tree which was almost 15 inch in circumference tree off of the injured man and placed him in a boat en route to the hospital. However, the 25-year-old succumbed on his way out of the area.

One source related that the man was bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth before he succumbed. The police have not been able to visit the location because of the remoteness but we were informed that statements were already taken from some of those who were present at the time of the incident

The men were at the time working for a gold miner named Chabinauth Singh called “Sanjay” of Good Hope, East bank Essequibo. The man was reportedly not at the location when the incident took place.

The investigations are ongoing. This would be the first reported mining death to have occurred thus far for the year 2017.