Cook dies in freak accident 

A 40-year-old cook identified as Ricky ‘Swank’ Persaud, was killed during an accident with an excavator at Big Hope Backdam in Waini River.

Police Headquarters reported that Persaud of Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast was employed with a mining company and on Thursday he and an excavator operator, 34, of Friendship Lower Pomeroon River, were heading to work ground when they observed a tree on the road.

While trying to clear the road with the excavator, Persaud came off the vehicle and was injured with the boom cylinder. Police said the operator swung the excavator to the right and the cylinder came into contact with Persaud’s head.

He was knocked unconscious and suffered a deep laceration to the right side head.

Police explained that due to the geographical location where the incident occurred, Persaud was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital and pronounced dead.

The driver of the excavator is in police custody assisting with further investigations.