Cuban construction worker crushed to death after 15-foot fence wall collapses

Police are investigating a construction accident that claimed the life of 28-year-old Dayrovis Martinez Mendoza, a Cuban national and construction worker of 15th Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara. The incident occurred around 11:30 hrs on Monday at a private property along the Bachelor’s Adventure Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

Investigations revealed that Xie Guohui, a 49-year-old Chinese businessman, had leased the property from its owner, Carlos Paul, under a 40-year agreement signed on 7 October 2024. The site was being developed for the construction of a supermarket and residential quarters. Guohui, who has over 15 years of experience in construction, told police he had personally supervised work for the past two months but was unwell and absent on the day of the accident.

According to eyewitness accounts, several Spanish-speaking workers were on site when the eastern fence wall—approximately 15 feet high and 120 feet long—suddenly collapsed. Mendoza was pinned beneath the rubble.

Emergency responders, including police and the Guyana Fire Service, rushed to the scene. They broke through the collapsed structure to pull Mendoza out but he was already lifeless. The site was thoroughly searched to ensure no other workers were trapped, but no additional casualties were reported.

Shortly after the incident, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, visited the location with Assistant Chief Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Roydon Croal, and other ministry officials. They conducted an immediate inspection of the site, underscoring the ministry’s active oversight in matters of workplace safety.

The body of Mendoza was removed by undertakers from the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it now awaits a post-mortem examination.

Police investigations and a full occupational safety review are ongoing.