A man is now dead after being electrocuted while changing a utility pole for the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on the Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday.
Dead: Michael Benjamin
Dead is Michael Benjamin, 27, of Lot 6 Dukestown, Corriverton, Berbice.
Benjamin was the foreman of a crew that was changing wooden poles between Number 52 and 56 Villages, Corentyne, when the incident occurred.
The incident also resulted in 38-year-old Oddel Kyte being injured.
Reports are that Benjamin was operating a truck with a hydraulic lift, to turn the post to an upright position while Kyte assisted in guiding the post.
At about 12:20h on Saturday, while at Middle Walk Dam, Number 52 Village, Benjamin was operating the hydraulic lift and Kyte was holding the post, centring it into a hole, when suddenly a movement caused the post to accidentally touch the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) electrical line. Eyewitnesses said that Kyte’s body immediately started to vibrate and he let go of the post. Benjamin was subsequently seen lying motionlessly on the ground next to the hydraulic lift.
He was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
GPL has since said that preliminary investigation revealed that “the young man was employed by another utility company that was carrying out work in the Berbice area when their bucket truck came into contact with our network. Our company extends sympathy to the family of the deceased.”
An investigation has since been launched. (G4)
