Dredge owner, 60, dies after land caves in Mazaruni River

Bertram Willie, a 60-year-old Miner who resided at Wisrock New Housing Scheme, Linden died on Wednesday during a mining accident at Cowing Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River in Region #7.

Investigations indicate that Willie was the registered owner of a four-inch water dredge operation at the location.

Trevor Benn, a 50-year-old miner of Parfaite Harmonie,  West Bank Demerara, alleged Willie was submerged in the Mazaruni River extracting gravel when he observed that a piece of land caved into the river.

Thereafter, Benn said he called out to Willie but did not get a response.

He immediately raised an alarm and with the assistance of other miners nearby, he went into the river searching for Willie, who was found pinned down underwater by a tree stump.

Benn said he managed to free Willie whose body, by this time, was motionless. The body later resurfaced and was fished out of the River.

The body was taken to the Imbaimadai Health Post under police guard and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.