Eccles man, 56, dies in mining pit accident

Harry Critchlow, a 56-year-old resident of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, died on Saturday after he was struck by a tree that fell into a mining pit.

Police Headquarters reported that the accident occurred at about 10:00 hrs at Thomas Island, Puruni River, Region Seven.

The mining site is operated by Sherwin Herman, a 37-year-old man of Grove Squatting Area, and the owner of the mining claim at Thomas Island. Herman had employed Critchlow to work in the mining pit.

At about 10:00 hrs Saturday, Critchlow was working in the mining pit when a tree stump fell and struck him on the head, rendering him unconscious. The injury was fatal.

The incident was reported to Herman at approximately 11:00 hrs on the same day while he was at his camp.

Several individuals working in the mining pit at the time of the incident were interviewed by detectives and they confirmed witnessing the event as described and provided formal statements.

Following the completion of the initial investigation, the body was escorted from the incident site to the Itaballi Landing early Sunday morning.

The investigation is ongoing.