Tragic accident at city wharf leaves one dead

The Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has launched an investigation into a fatal workplace accident that occurred on Thursday at the John Fernandes Limited (JFL) Wharf on Water Street, Georgetown.

The incident claimed the life of 63-year-old Mr. Dallas Sharples, a stevedore (dock worker) employed by John Fernandes Limited.

Reports suggest that Mr. Sharples was working alongside his colleagues to offload containers from the vessel MV JPO Aquila when the tragic event occurred.

In response, Senior OSH Officer Mr. Garrway Bourne and OSH Officer Mr. Ray Hosannah were quick to arrive at the scene, where they initiated a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Their findings will form the basis for any necessary recommendations to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.

The Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has expressed his deepest condolences to Mr. Sharples’ family, colleagues, and friends. He also took the opportunity to emphasise the critical importance of safety and health practices in the workplace, stressing that both employers and employees must remain vigilant in preventing accidents that could lead to devastating losses.