Labourer dies after crushed by piles at construction site in Linden

A workplace accident at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground in Linden on Tuesday resulted in the death of Cledwin Richards, called ‘Fatboy’ or ‘Junior’,  a 43-year-old labourer of Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Police Headquarters reported that Richards was working along with a 65-year-old operator from Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, who is contracted to drive piles in the ground at Mackenzie Sports Club, where construction works are ongoing.

Richards at the time was ‘preparing’ the timber piles to be driven into the earth and was walking on one of six piles that were packed on each other.

While doing so, he reportedly slipped off the piles and fell between another pile that was resting on the ground. The pile that he was walking on subsequently tumbled and fell on his head, pinning him down.

With the assistance of other workers at the site, the pile was removed. Police said Richards was not wearing any safety gear; he was pronounced dead at the Linden Hospital Complex.

The incident occurred at around 11:10 hrs; an autopsy is expected soon.