Rice farmer collapses in Backdam

A Corentyne Rice farmer collapsed and died moments after he was trying to remove his tractor from a canal at Wire Dam, Whim Village, Corentyne, Berbice, some three miles away from the Public Road on Monday (May 01, 2017).

Dead is 48-year-old Mark Anthony Bangaroo of lot 13 B, Whim Village, Corentyne.

News Room was told that at about 08:00 hours, Mangaroo departed his home with his motor tractor and headed to the back dam to inspect his farm and pump water out of his rice field.

Bangaroo allegedly parked his tractor on the eastern side of the dam, and while he was pumping the water out of the rice field, a portion of the damn collapsed, causing the left back wheel of the tractor to slip into the canal. It was noted that at the time Bangaroo was not on the tractor.

The News Room was informed that Bangaroo sought assistance from other farmers in the back dam to help remove the tractor and while doing so, he began complaining of feeling unwell. He then proceeded to sit a few feet away from the tractor, when he suddenly collapsed.

A party of police officers after being informed arrived at the location and inspected the body for marks of violence, but none was found.

Bangaroo’s body was then escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where he was pronounced him dead on arrival.

Investigations are ongoing.