Koker operator crushed to death by 3-tonne counterweight at Mahaicony

The lifeless body of Leevorn Stanford McGarrel, also called ‘Shortman’ or ‘Hacket’, a sluice attendant employed by the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), was found on Thursday under a three-tonne boulder in the community of Farm/Woodlands, West Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Investigators are working on the theory that the fatal accident that took the life of this 54-year-old resident of High Dam, Mahaicony, ECD occurred between 18:00h on Wednesday and 6:40h on Thursday.
Based on reports received, the late Leevorn McGarrel and his son-in-law Lavar Welch had worked separate shifts at the same sluice, monitoring the inflow and outflow of water in the canal and the Mahaicony River. McGarrel had left his home to go to work at the location on Wednesday at about 18:00h, and did not return home. On Thursday, Welch went to work for his shift, and discovered his father-in-law’s body under the sluice counterweight (3-ton boulder).
The man’s body was examined, and ‘visible crush injuries’ were seen. He was later pronounced dead.
Investigations are ongoing.