Dredge owner, 23, dies as mining pit caves in

Akeem Khan, 23, the owner of a dredging/mining operation at Sand Hill Backdam, Cuyuni River, died on Sunday while jetting in his mining pit at about 16:30hrs.

Police said the young man who hails from Bartica, Region Seven, was reportedly with another employee at the time – a 25-year-old miner of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) – when the walls began to cave in.

Khan and his employee reportedly began to run, but his feet became caught in the ‘donkey’ (jetting hose) and he was covered by the sand.

The employee raised an alarm, which was heard by Wayne David, a 52-year-old miner of Agricola, EBD, who then ran to the scene and he, along with the employee, began to dig for the victim.

After about 10 minutes, Khan was found motionless. A report was made to the Bartica Police Station.

The victim was transported to the Bartica Regional Hospital for further examination. Statements were taken and the investigation is still in progress, police said.