Gold miner dies in mining pit accident

Police on Sunday said investigations are ongoing into a mining pit accident at Kurubang Backdam, Region Eight which claimed the life of a man, only identified as “Coolie”.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday around 18:00hrs.

According to co-workers, the man was only hired five days prior to the accident as a pitman.

On the day in question, the victim was working in a mining pit with two other workers when the pit reportedly caved and a tree fell on top of him.

He was then picked up by his crewmates and rushed to Mahdia Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The body was examined by police and marks of violence were seen on the right foot with a wound to the head.

The body is at the mortuary awaiting identification and autopsy.

Police later reported that the victim was employed by Fitz English, a 50-year-old gold miner of Lot 528 Haslington Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara operating on a claim at Kurubang.