Grandmother, 9-year-old granddaughter killed by falling tree

…3 others injured

A grandmother, along with her nine-year-old granddaughter were killed after they were crushed by a tree at Panduck Creek, Imbaimadai, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Dead are 54-year-old Desiree John, a farmer, and her granddaughter, Cindy John. Injured are 21-year-old Romelia John, nine-year-old Fauya John, and two-year-old Rishauna John, all of Kambaru Village.

Reports are that 55-year-old Benneth John, a farmer, is the owner of the farm, which has two camps, one of which is the kitchen.
According to reports, at about 18:20h on Thursday, Desiree and her daughter, Romelia, along with the three other children – Cindy, Fauya, and Rishauna – were in the kitchen having dinner when a tree fell on the

kitchen due to torrential downpours.
Romelia and her daughters – Rishauna and Fauya – managed to escape unharmed while Cindy was found lying motionless under a large branch, and Desiree pinned under another branch.
This newspaper was told that Benneth immediately rendered assistance and lifted the branches from the two and then proceeded to the Imbaimadai Health Post, where Cindy was pronounced dead on arrival. However, Desiree succumbed to her injuries on Friday morning at 11:30h at the health post. Police have since launched an investigation.
When contacted, Benneth was still in shock over the passing of his wife and grandchild. During an emotional interview, the man described his wife as a “very loving person”. (Shemar Alleyne)