Excavator accident: “We’re all in shock”- grieving son

…says father was highly skilled, experienced

Joseph Hollingsworth, a 69-year-old machine operator from Pattenson, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, has been identified as the victim of the fatal accident that occurred on Saturday, at Coglan Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.
According to police reports, Hollingsworth had been hired by a businessman to transport an excavator from Coglan Dam to his residence. After loading the excavator onto a motor truck, Hollingsworth realised that the truck could not support the weight of the heavy machinery and while attempting to offload the excavator, it fell into a nearby drain, pinning him underneath. Despite the efforts of public-spirited citizens, who rushed to his aid, Hollingsworth was pronounced dead upon arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital. His body has since been moved to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
In an emotional interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, Hollingsworth’s son, Kabila Hollingsworth, spoke about the devastating impact of his father’s sudden death on the family.

“We’re all in shock. My father wasn’t just a machine operator—he was a highly skilled and experienced professional. He had worked as a construction manager on major projects… This wasn’t just a job for him; it was his passion, and he took immense pride in his work,” Kablia said.
Kablia described the moment he heard the news of his father’s passing. “When my mother called me, I couldn’t believe it. I had to confirm it myself because it just didn’t seem real. My father was so strong, so capable—I never imagined something like this could happen to him. It’s hard to accept that he’s gone.”
Reflecting on the events leading up to the accident, Kablia explained that his father was doing everything he could to prevent the situation from turning fatal.
“What I saw in the video was my father trying to use his skills to stabilize the machine on the truck. He was trying to pull it back, to prevent a hard landing. But the trench was there, and that’s what caused the whole thing to go wrong. My father wasn’t being reckless—he was trying to protect everyone involved.”
Joseph’s dedication to his work was matched only by his commitment to his family. Kablia shared how his father’s belief in the power of education shaped their lives.
“My father’s mantra was always, ‘Education takes you out of any situation.’ He made sure all of us, his seven children, were well-educated and prepared for life. Because of him, we have engineers, a daughter studying electrical engineering, another with a degree in public management, and a son who works for an American company. My father paved the way for all of us, and he did it with love and determination.”

Kablia went on to express the profound sense of loss his family is feeling. “My father was the best father anyone could ask for. He was more than just a parent—he was our mentor, our guide, our protector. He believed in us, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. Losing him is like losing the foundation of our family. We’re all devastated, and it’s going to take a long time for us to come to terms with this.”
He also shared a deeply personal memory, highlighting his father’s character and the values he instilled in his children. “I remember how he would always call me when he had a problem with a machine. He’d say, ‘Son, can you fix this for me?’ And I’d do my best because I wanted to make him proud. The last time I saw him was a couple of months ago, and we talked about work, about life. I never thought that would be our last conversation.”
The dead man’s son said the Hollingsworth family is struggling to cope with the sudden and tragic loss of their patriarch. As the investigation into the accident continues, they are left to mourn the passing of a man who was not only a skilled professional but also a devoted father and a pillar of strength in their lives.